I ran a poll last year asking how much people would be willing to pay for curbside recycling. Aside from those who thought government services are “free,” the predominant response was “Five bucks a week.” Private enterprise has taken the lead where government cannot – courtesy of a Channel 29 story –

For twenty bucks a month, My Recycling Club will

… come pick it up every other week…We leave the bins there for you to clean out and refill for the next time we come…And that’s it,” she said.

Battani got the idea from her concierge business. “Quite a few of those clients have asked us about picking up recycling from their home and office and bringing it in for them…It started to be a pattern,” she recalled.

All it takes to start a club is five or six neighbors who agree to sort their trash. Then for $20 a month, Battani hauls it to the recycling center.

According to Mattson, “Some people have to cartload their recycling to the McIntire Center, which actually discourages some people from recycling at all.” Now thanks to Battani, people don’t have to chose between pitching their time or concern for the planet along with the trash.

In response to an email, Sue Battani said, “The news blurb has created quite a buzz for us and we are very excited about it. Many people have signed on already and we are working diligently to get back to everyone to answer their questions and such.

And that’s a good sign.