FARMINGVILLE

To the Editor:

Brookhaven residents have recently received letters introducing them to a newly adopted recycling rewards program called Recyclebank that is officially launching on August 3. Recyclebank is an exciting program that rewards residents for recycling, but also helps the environment and keeps our communities beautiful.

Any resident who receives Town of Brookhaven recycling collection services can sign up at Recyclebank’s website, www.recyclebank.com. Once eligible residents sign up for the program starting August 3, all they have to do is tell Recyclebank they recycled  -  either online, on the phone, or through a mobile application – and they will receive Recyclebank Points for recycling. These points can be redeemed for rewards such as such as groceries, merchandise and discounts at hundreds of national businesses and local favorites like  Assaggio Ristorante, Middle Island Pizza, Pure the Spa, Macy’s, and Bed Bath & Beyond. The best part is Recylebank is free!

Residents will be receiving detailed registration instructions in the mail over the next few days with more information on how to sign up.

Recycling has significant environmental benefits – it saves energy, conserves natural resources and water, and reduces emissions of greenhouse gases. Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water. If a plastic bottle is thrown away instead of recycled it takes 500 years for that bottle to break down.

Recycling also has a positive impact on Town finances. The Town could save over one million dollars in disposal costs when residents recycle instead of throwing recyclables in the trash and through revenue from the sale of recyclables.

Recyclebank is a win for the environment, the Town, and most importantly eligible residents will now be rewarded, too!

If residents have any questions or would like more information about Recyclebank, they can visit www.recyclebank.com. We ask everyone to join us in greening the Town of Brookhaven!

Mark Lesko

Brookhaven Town Supervisor