R.I. cities, towns receive share of $740,626 recycling profit

(Updated, 3 p.m.)

JOHNSTON – Municipal officials from across the state gathered at the R.I. Resource Recovery Corporation today to accept their share of the state’s $740,626 in recycling profit.

This year’s recycling profit, presented by Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee and RIRRC Executive Director Mike OConnell, are earmarked for reinvestment in each municipality’s recycling program.

“The benefit that recycling has on our municipalities and our state as a whole is truly remarkable,” said OConnell in a prepared statement. “Recycle Together RI helps conserve our natural environment and also helps bring much-needed funds to our communities. The funds shared with Rhode Island’s municipalities today will help stimulate positive change within community recycling programs in the months to come. We are excited to see these programs grow in the following year.”

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Altogether, Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns recycled 95,323 tons of recycled material this year, 5.12 percent more than the 90,680 tons recycled in fiscal year 2012.

However, the fiscal 2013 profit total of $740,626 is nearly $1.2 million less than 2012 recycling profits, which totaled $1.94 million. RIRRC attributes the decline to a lower per ton market rate for recycled materials sold.

Of the 39 cities and towns that participated in the program, Warwick received the largest share of the recycling profits, a total of $79,594, followed by Providence with $71,347 and Cranston with $57,087.

According to RIRRC, for each ton of recyclables diverted from the landfill, municipalities save $32 in disposal fees, since RIRRC does not charge a processing fee to accept recyclables.

RIRRC expects cities and towns to use their recycling profits to make improvements to local recycling programs, such as updating educational programs and materials, and converting to automated cart recycling. Since the launch of Recycle Together RI, seven municipalities have converted to automated cart recycling, and three more are considering converting in 2014, RIRRC said.

“Every recycled item makes a difference in extending the life of the state’s Central Landfill and helping our community reduce waste,” said OConnell. “Making a commitment to recycling together in our state helps protect our local environment. The economic benefit received in profit shares is a welcome added bonus.”

Fiscal year 2013 recycling profits by municipality:

  • Barrington: $17,808.65

  • Bristol: $13,366.75

  • Burrillville: $13,267.45

  • Central Falls: $8,075.31

  • Charlestown: $2,647.51

  • Coventry: $28,599.29

  • Cranston: $57,087.48

  • Cumberland: $24,881.60

  • East Greenwich: $13,235.90

  • East Providence: $37,781.85

  • Exeter: $5,217.78

  • Foster: $3,758.26

  • Glocester: $9,216.12

  • Jamestown: $6,788.11

  • Johnston: $16,107.02

  • Lincoln: $15,652.42

  • Little Compton: $4,235.70

  • Middletown: $12,434.62

  • Narragansett: $8,965.98

  • New Shoreham: $4,412.93

  • Newport: $17,356.93

  • North Kingstown: $23,957.94

  • North Providence: $20,544.35

  • North Smithfield: $10,619.86

  • Pawtucket: $37.277.52

  • Portsmouth: $14,969.31

  • Providence: $71,347.62

  • Richmond: $3,966.17

  • Scituate: $8,403.11

  • Smithfield: $15,998.25

  • South Kingstown: $24,241.34

  • Tiverton: $15,374.27

  • Warren: $9,299.49

  • Warwick: $79,594.13

  • West Greenwich: $3,081.75

  • West Warwick: $18,433.33

  • Westerly-Hopkinton: $29,049.23

  • Woonsocket: $21,070.66

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