Chicago Announces Pilot Recycling Partnership with Computers for Schools

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has kicked off the city’s Neighborhood Paper Drive and encouraged residents to participate in a pilot program for computer recycling.

"Chicago has set many goals in order to be the greenest city in the nation,” says Mayor Daley during a press conference at the City’s permanent Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Center. “We need residents to get involved. We need people to adopt more environmentally friendly lifestyles, and recycling is a great way to start.”

The Neighborhood Paper Drive officially began June 5, 2010 and will last about two weeks.

Twenty-four organizations have signed up for the competition that will encourage residents to drop-off mixed paper, newspapers/magazines or office paper at designated locations.

At the end of the two weeks, the city’s recycling partners will take the paper to area recycling facilities.

In addition to any revenues from the recyclables, cash prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000 will be awarded to the organizations that collect the most of each paper type.

The paper drive recycling partners include Allied Waste/Republic Services, Inc., FutureMark Paper Company, Paper Retriever, Recycling Services Inc., and Waste Management, Inc.

At the press conference, Mayor Daley also announced that the City of Chicago has partnered with Computers for Schools, a program by Rebuilders and Recyclers that refurbishes electronic equipment for students and others in need.

“Through this partnership we hope to keep computers out of landfills and put them into the hands of our school children. This is not only a green initiative, but also helps us bridge the digital divide,” Daley adds.

Residents in seven neighborhoods throughout the city will receive notices from Computer for Schools regarding pick-up dates and times. 

"When we make modern computer and Internet technology available across Chicago, we are improving education, creating a more modern workforce, helping small business and creating hope and opportunity for every Chicagoan," Daley adds.