City launches new recycling program

The city recently entered into a public-private partnership to replace some of its old trash bins with new recycling and trash stations along Park Avenue, Beech Street and other high-traffic areas throughout the city.

The city has partnered with New Jersey-based Greener Corners, a company that makes public recycling readily available in municipalities, universities, and shopping centers.

“We want to encourage people to recycle throughout the city, and it’s part of relaunching the city after the storm and not only encouraging recycling and bringing in new revenue to the city, but also fulfilling the City Council’s vision of presenting a positive image for our residents and our visitors,” said City Manager Jack Schnirman said.

Twenty-five stations — which include receptacles for paper, cans and bottles and trash — have already been placed around town, primarily along Park Avenue and Beech Street. In several months, additional stations will be placed along the boardwalk.

“There are so many great initiatives on the boardwalk … that we’re working with everyone collaboratively to make sure it’s going in the right spots,” said Aaron Klein, a partner in Greener Corners. “This is our first program in New York … this is a long-time coming, actually, maybe two or three years. We got information that the city was interested in our program, they heard about us and we followed through with it. Eventually, with some good work and some great people in the city, we were able to put these things out.”

While the city is responsible for the collection of trash, the stations come at no cost to the city, Klein said. Greener Corners provides, installs and maintains the recycling stations, he explained, and sells advertisements that are placed on the bins to cover the cost of the recycling program and generate additional revenue. The city, Klein said, will receive a percentage of the revenue generated from sales of advertising placed on the sides of the station.

“In accordance with the City Council’s directive of becoming a more environmentally friendly city, the City Council is pleased to announce new recycling bins to sort recycling from trash in public areas,” said council Vice President Fran Adelson. “These new recycling bins will also create additional revenue for the city. These bins are another step in our rebuilding process to create a stronger, smarter, and safer Long Beach that is greener and more environmentally friendly than ever before.”