Residents advised that workers may enter backyards to replace recycling barrel lids.
Providence's conversion to a 'Big Green Can' recycling barrel is nearly completed. Almost every Providence household has received a new, 65-gallon gray trash barrel, and distribution of the gray barrels is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
As part of Providence's adoption of the Big Green Can, Waste Management is working on all days of the week to replace the lids on the converted recycling barrels with a bright blue lid with graphic instructions on the new recycling procedure. Providence residents are advised that workers may enter backyards or other private property to change the lids on recycling barrels if they arrive on a day not scheduled for garbage collection.
Residents should begin using their Big Green Can for all recyclables as soon as they get their new gray barrel for other trash. Residents should not wait for the new, blue lid to be installed before using the Big Green Can for recycling.
The larger recycling barrel, coupled with the statewide transition to single-stream recycling, aims to increase recycling rates by making it easier for all residents to recycle. Recyclables don't need to be sorted - simply put all plastics, paper, glass, metal cans and foil together in the Big Green Can.
Providence's Big Green Can campaign has already dramatically boosted the city's recycling rate. For every ton of recyclables residents put into their new Green Cans, the city saves $32. Last year, the City of Providence recycled almost 10,000 tons of material, a savings of $320,000.
For more information about the Big Green Can campaign, visit www.providenceri.com/sustainability.