New Haven expands recycling initiative

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - Many communities are trying to do their part in helping the environment, and a new recycling push in New Haven could also be saving the city some cash.

It's a familiar sight on the streets of New Haven: the big blue garbage bins or the small blue box for recyclables.  The smaller, brown 48 gallon bin will be for garbage, making the bigger 96 gallon blue container now only for recyclables.

City officials expect some confusion at first about what goes where.

John Prokop, the Dir of Public Works, said, "Our guys will actually look in both containers to see if there is any kind of cross contamination of garbage and recyclables. If that occurs we actually put a notice on the container."

This Friday the brown bins will be issued in the East Shore area, the third neighborhood to get them.

Last May, when the city rolled out this system in Newhallville, the rate of recycling nearly doubled.

Officials say it costs New Haven about $100 a ton to dispose of trash, but the city earns money with recyclables.

Mayor John DeStefano said, "We do this because it helps protect the environment and it saves taxpayers money."