Recycling service in my neighborhood?

Question

I was thinking of ways to make money this summer, and I thought it would be a good idea to provide a recycling service to my neighborhood, since we don't have one currently.

My question is, is this something I could charge for, if I supply the bins and the curbside pickup?

How much could I charge? I don't want to lose money, but I don't want to rip anyone off.

Should I pick up once a week? Twice a week? Once every two weeks? Once a month?

Please, any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

Interesting!  I don't know what to tell you.  We live in Hillsborough county Florida (the Tampa area).   And our taxes pay for recycling pick up twice a week for yard waste, bottles, cans, newspapers and cardboard. I take Styrofoam, plastic bags and paper bags to our Publix grocery for recycling.

We can deliver electronics and household chemicals to our waste stations for proper disposal.

We used to pay about $30. a month without recycling.  So I really don't know what to say.

If you can get money for the can, bottles and papers.  You can arrange pickup for free.  Your payment will be turning them in for cash.

Answer 2

I think this is a great idea. Surveys show more people would recycle if you make it convenient for them and show them how to do it (explain what is recyclable and what isn't).

I would certainly calculate the distance you have to travel (using expensive gas) when coming up with your price.

I pay my trash company about $9 per month for weekly collection. No one needs more than once a week to fill up an average curbside recycling bin. If someone is a hard-core recycler, you can give them a second bin, and charge them a little more. Hope this helps. Good luck.

p.s. Remind people recycling is one of the easiest ways we can all do something about global warming (reducing energy, preserving natural resources)