Making bank from recycling

Thanks to TriplePundit for the heads up on this innovative new way of encouraging recycling - paying people to do it.

Municipalities (that's cities in non-wonk speak) often have to budget extra for recycling programs because many people pledge to recycle, but often don't put up the volume to make ends meet for the city. Instead, a lot of half-empty trucks trundle off to the recycling center.

Enter Recycle Bank. It helps increase recycling rates by signing on corporate sponsors to reward recyclers with gift cards (think rewards Mastercard, but you get points for giving plastic instead of using plastic). RB helps reduce city's recycling costs and takes a cut of the savings, all while increasing recycling rates. Win win win.