Waste Pro customers can recycle, earn discounts with new program

CRESTVIEW — Starting April 1, Crestview households can save money on purchases from area businesses just by being active recyclers.

Waste Pro customers just need to apply a barcode sticker to their recycling tub, sign up online, and start or resume recycling each week, Greg Martin, the company's division manager, said.

"Statistics show that nearly 50 percent of everyday household garbage is made up of materials that can be recycled," city officials stated in a letter to resident trash customers.

A barcode sticker will accompany the letter, along with instructions for setting up an account with Orlando-based Rewards for Recycling, which has contracted with the waste collection service.

The mailing will also include a list of materials that can be recycled, Martin said.

How it works

A scanner on the waste collection company's trucks will read the barcode sticker and update the customer's account, showing the resident is an active recycler.

Since Waste Pro assumed the city's waste contract in 2008, recycling efforts have doubled from a ton to two tons. Martin expects the new program will increase weekly recycling to three or more tons.

"Our drivers will be working harder because hopefully more people will be recycling," Martin said.

So far, Rewards for Recycling has signed up an estimated 15 businesses to take part in the program, he said. Each business creates a discount or offer, he said. Customers will redeem reward coupons online by logging into their accounts.

"We hope it draws our customers to the commercial businesses, too; kinda scratching each other's back, so to speak," Martin said. "We're looking forward to this program. We've never done it before" in Crestview.

There is no cost to sign up for the program and no cost for businesses to make their offers available to Waste Pro Rewards customers, Martin said.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Crestview residential trash service customers can earn Waste Pro Rewards, including coupons to area businesses, for weekly recycling. Customers will receive information about the program, including a barcode sticker for their recycle bins, in the mail soon.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Waste Pro customers can recycle, earn discounts with new program