Residential Recycling Credit Program

Using Advanced Technology to Stabilize Rates

 Recycle & earn a credit on your Solid Waste rate. If you don’t recycle, you pay full price. 

How Does the BPU RFID Recycling Bin Program Work (RRCP)?

Each orange recycling bin has a Radio Frequency Identification tag or chip (RFID) that is programmed directly to the customer’s own Solid Waste account at that residence. The bin is similar to a “meter” for the home.

The BPU recycling trucks are outfitted with RFID tag readers. As the recycling employees place the recyclables in the truck, the bin is scanned. 

The scanning process ties the customer’s participation in recycling directly to the customer’s Solid Waste account at the home. In this way, the BPU learns whether the customer recycles or doesn’t recycle. 

The BPU’s residential Solid Waste rate in the City is $23 per billing period. Those customers who recycle using the assigned orange RFID bins will be credited with a $10.50 recycling credit. 

Customers who do not recycle will be charged the full rate for that billing cycle.

Why Does the BPU Require Customers to Recycle?

Recycling is New York State law. Through the RRCP program, we have increased our average recycling participation level from 35 to 60 percent.  Sections 224-1 through 224-7 of City Code make recycling mandatory within the City of Jamestown. See Garbage and Recycling Guidelines for more information. Customers who choose not to participate in the RRCP must recycle by another means.

In addition, the BPU seeks to keep Solid Waste rates stable through this program. The more that people take recyclables out of the garbage stream,  the less the BPU must pay to dump loads of garbage at the County Landfill. Also, the BPU receives payment for recyclables, when the market allows, through our recycling vendors. 

BPU Solid Waste rates can remain stable if we can pay less at the Landfill for garbage & can earn more money from our recycling vendors. 

Who Can Participate in the Residential Recycling Credit Program (RRCP) ?

Residential customers of the BPU are eligible to participate in the Residential Recycling Credit Program. Participating customers must place recyclable materials at the curb with their garbage using the (orange) BPU recycling container provided for that purpose. Customers who recycle, with their assigned bin, within a billing period will receive a recycling credit on their monthly bill. Participation is tracked through the use of the assigned orange bin at the assigned address only. Credit will not be issued for the use of alternate containers, bins assigned to other customers or for the usage of bins at the wrong address.

Customers who regularly participate in the RRCP, but will be out of town and unable to recycle for two or more billing periods, may receive the recycling credit during their absence by completing and submitting a "Statement Attesting to Being Away from Property."  Customers who do not regularly participate in the program will not be entitled to the credit during times of absence.

Orange recycling bins are the property of the Jamestown BPU. If the original bin is lost, stolen or damaged, customers can contact the Garbage Hotline to request a replacement bin. The replacement bin is programmed and delivered directly to the residence and the bin processing fee is billed to the account.

Extra Blue-Colored Recycling Bins Available for Sale 

In response to customer requests, the BPU offers recycling bins that are the same size as our orange bins to hold or store recyclables. The bins are for sale in our  BPU Customer Service Office, 92 Steele Street, Jamestown, at the price of $12 each. Customers should keep in mind that the blue recycling bins are not chipped with RFID tags. Therefore, recyclables placed in these blue bins cannot be used to earn the recycling credit.