RecycleNet - Taking Curbside Recycling to the Next Level
There is no question that curbside recycling programs have an extremely positive impact on our environment and diversion rates from landfill. Unfortunately, curbside recycling contributes significantly to the amount of litter in a community. Material put in blue boxes by well intentioned homeowners are sometimes dislodged from their container while they sit at the curb awaiting collection and end up blowing around our neighbourhoods.
The most common cause - is simply a brisk wind blowing over the open top boxes. Add an accidently bump by a bicycle or car and the problem increases as contents spill out.
It's Blue Box Day
When Blue is not as Green ... as it can be!
Everyday across North Amercia, thousands of Blue Boxes are brought to the curb for pick up and recycling. This is one of the most visible and concrete things that we are doing to help take care of our planet. But, it is also one of the biggest contributors to litter in your community.
Watch the video to see what happens on a windy day when your Blue Box is set out for collection.
RecycleNet on Blue Box ready for collection
RecycleNet
Putting a cover on the blue box is the solution. RecycleNet is a flexible "mesh" cover designed to universally fit any of the rigid plastic, open-top recycle boxes commonly used in municipal curbside recycling programs. Blue box covers need to have the right combination of features and functions to make the cover useful and effective.
RecycleNet meets the 5 Key Criteria to be a useful and effective cover.
1)Reduces Litter - The cover must work - it must prevent contents from escaping from the box
2)Easy for Homeowners - The cover must be easy to attached, use and store for the Homeowner
3)Simple for Collectors - The cover should not add any appreciable time or effort to the Collectors
4) Inexpensive and Durable - The cover must be affordable for Municipalities and Homeowners
5) Attaches to any box - The cover must be universally designed to attach to any of the various styles and sizes of blue boxes currently in use
RecycleNet in open position, permanently attached to Blue Box
How it works
For the Homeowner
RecycleNet is an inexpensive but highly durable elastic mesh held in place by a plastic bar at each end. It is simple to install. And it permanently attachs to one end of the blue box - any size or style of open top recycle box.
When the lid is open, RecycleNet simply drapes down one side of the box, taking up no additional garage space or getting in the way of homeowners as they put re-cyclables into the box.
It is permanently attached so it won't get lost or misplaced between collection days.
On collection day, the homeowner simply grabs the handle from where it is draped and pulls RecycleNet across the open box until the hook reaches the under lip of the other side.
RecycleNet's unique design allows for overstuffing or "mounding" of material beyond the level line of the box. RecycleNet simply stretches over the top!
Homeowners can carry the box by it's handle at arm's length by their side. This carry method allows the homeowner to easily carry two boxes at once. This reduces the time needed to carry the blue boxes to the curb and keeps dirt off clothes.
For the Collector
Once the boxes are at the curb, it is time for pick up! RecycleNet does not impact collection time!
The Collector picks up a RecycleNet blue box in the same way he/she does today.
The Collector picks up the box in two hands, one on either end. With one hand, the Collector releases the hook and tosses RecycleNet in the direction of the permanently attached end where it drapes down and out of the way while the contents are dumped.
The Collector then tosses the box back onto the median at the curb.
RecycleNet is securely attached to the box and ready for use the next time the homewner is ready to close it again!
Getting Started
To find out how RecycleNet can help reduce litter and increase diversion rates in your Municipality, please contact us at NuCove Development Corporation - 905-841-5000 x202.
