By Suzy Kridner
skridner@hometownnewsol.com
DAYTONA BEACH -- Jennifer Wolbach is an avid recycler who not only places her own items in the bins, but also ones she picks up on her daily walks.
She has two recycling containers -- one for paper and one for cans and bottles.
Now her main recycle bin has a sticker so that every time she recycles, she gets credit for her efforts in a new Waste Pro Rewards program with the city.
The benefit to joining Waste Pro Rewards includes discounts from local businesses that are on board with the program, said Tim Fauvelle, solid waste supervisor for the city's Publc Works Department.
He said, "The city has gotten involved for the simple reason of promoting more recycling to our residents."
"The benefits for the city is to reduce the recycling going into the county landfill, which reduces the cost of the landfill fees" the city pays, Mr. Fauvelle said.
"Local businesses benefit through free advertising through the rewards program," he said.
While all the incentives are a good thing, Mrs. Wolbach and her husband, Chuck, are more concerned with the environment and keeping as much trash as they can out of the landfill.
"I've always believed in recycling," she said. "It really upsets me when I walk down the road and see the plastic bottles and cans just tossed on the road."
"I take a grabber with me so I can pick up the cans and bottles, as well as fast food wrappers and other trash, and put in a plastic bag I carry with me. I won't touch the trash so the grabber lets me drop it into the bag so I can take it home and put it in my recycle or trash box."
The Wolbachs, originally from Newtown, Conn., have lived here for seven years and "I've never missed a recycle day," said Mrs. Wolbach, who is president of the Holloway Place Homeowners' Association.
She and all other city residents received letters encouraging them to participate in the program.
Residents sign up for the rewards online and computers are available at the John H. Dickerson Library or the Daytona Beach Library Center for those who don't have one.
The information from the city included a sticker to be placed on the side of the recycle bin.
Mr. Fauvelle said the recycling truck automatically will scan the number if the bin is within 15 feet of the truck. Lights in the truck's cab and on the truck let the driver know the bin has been scanned. Then the driver empties the materials into the truck's compartments.
According to a letter to residents from Mayor Derrick Henry and City Manager James Chisholm, "Statistics show that nearly 50 percent of everyday household garbage is made up of materials than can be recycled."
Since the program just started, Mr. Fauvelle said "I believe it is too early yet to see if any residents have received any discounts through the program."
Recycling bins are available by calling Waste Pro at (386) 236-4340.
Information on the program and on items that can be recycled, as well as participating businesses, is available at www.wasteprorewards.com or by calling (386) 236-4340.