New Braunfels receives $420K grant to fund recycling outreach and education

The city elected to use a direct-pay model, meaning The Recycling Partnership will pay approved vendors directly rather than reimbursing the city, requiring no budget amendment or financial match from the city, according to agenda documents.

How it works

The grant will fund a data-driven initiative to increase residential recycling participation, reduce contamination in curbside carts and improve overall material quality, agenda documents state.

Grant funds will also help fund artificial intelligence-based smart truck camera technology on four collection vehicles, personalized resident feedback, direct mail outreach, digital engagement and field data collection.

By the numbers

Printed and digital outreach will help residents fine-tune their at-home recycling habits, strengthening the long-term sustainability of the program, according to the city.

Charlotte Pitt, The Recycling Partnership's vice president of community development, said the partnership is a step toward a more efficient and sustainable system for the city.

“We are looking forward to partnering with the city to move this project forward, and investing in the local recycling system to continue improving the city's curbside program,” Pitt said.

Communities implementing the system reported reductions in recycling contamination by 20%, according to city officials.

What's next

Efforts will be funded for one year, after which the city will evaluate and determine the program’s effectiveness and overall value. The city would have the option to continue the program beyond the grant period, according to city officials.