New bins improve Prov. recycling rates

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Providence has further improved its recycling rate after switching to a new bin and single-stream recycling.

The office of Mayor Angel Taveras said residents improved their average rate from less than 15 percent before the city launched the "Big Green Can" program in October to more than 25 percent last month.

The rate measures the tons of recyclables as a percentage of the total tons of garbage that residents put out for collection. At the current rate, the city expects to save about $250,000 this year by reducing tipping fees at the Central Landfill.

Providence residents got new 65-gallon gray trash barrels for curbside trash pickup, and the green cans once used for trash were converted to recycle bins.