The New Year brought a change in recycling for Wilmington city residents. Waste Industries now collects recyclables at a cheaper cost to the city, while picking up more items than the previous collector did.

Wilmington city residents found new, red boxes (of course made from recycled plastic) on their porches Jan 1. Changes to the recycling program are relatively few, according to Edwina Wilson, a city employee in the Solid Waste Management Office.

Waste Industries replaced Waste Management by underbidding them for a three-year contract. Wilson said Waste Industries is cheaper (charging $2.98 per customer) and will take more items to be recycled.

In addition to #1 & #2 plastics; aluminum and steel cans; and clear, brown and green glass, Waste Industries accepts a long list of paper products: newspapers, cardboard, brochures, catalogues, paper bags, magazines, white paper, computer paper, phone books, file folders and more.

Waste Industries will still pick up recycling on the day of curbside trash pick up, Wilson said

“Recycling is optional in Wilmington,” Wilson said, “so it’s hard to gain a sense of how many people will benefit from the new contract.” Wilmington has about 45,000 residents that use city trash services. Wilson said the contract has no effect on the price every customer is billed.

“Honestly the only difference I can see is that now I have a red box instead of a green one,” said Wilmington resident, Erik Schnatterly. “We recycle, but usually only plastic containers, cans and beer boxes.”

Greg Brinkley, the Wilmington branch manager for Waste Industries, explained that the recycling containers are delivered to the East Carolina Vocation Center. The centers, located in Greenville and Jacksonville, N.C., provide jobs for mentally and physically handicapped people. “At these centers they sort all the material for the final recycling process,” said Brinkley.

Waste Industries has been operating in New Hanover County for about 25 years now, according to Brinkley. He also mentioned “This is the first contract we’ve had with the City Solid Waste Management office. We’re looking forward to the three years ahead of us.”