Recycling program takes major expansion through Atlanta | News

ATLANTA -- Mayor Kasim Reed has announced a major expansion of the city's residential recycling program that will begin on October 15.

According to the Mayor's office, the City of Atlanta will distribute recycling carts to 66,000 residents, delivering 1,000 per day. The citywide recycling expansion is part of Atlanta's Power to Change plan, which is set to achieve 90 percent diversion of municipal waste by 2020.

The City of Atlanta generates about 96,000 tons of trash per year from residents, costing $7 million to dispose in landfills. The Mayor's office reported that there is room for improvement, while Atlanta households recycle only 12,000 tons per year.

"One of my goals as mayor is to see Atlanta become a top tier city for sustainability," Mayor Reed said. "Recycling is an important step towards that goal, as we make Atlanta a greener place to live, work and play. Rolling out these new large capacity recycling carts will make it easier for residents to recycle more."

The push for expanded recycling will be led by a partnership among the City of Atlanta's Mayor's Office of Sustainability, Department of Public Works and the Curbside Value Partnership.