CITY GOVERNMENT OFFICES CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC WEDNESDAY, MANAGING DIRECTOR TO DECLARE SECOND SNOW EMERGENCY

Philadelphia, February 9, 2010 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced today that in anticipation of the winter storm emergency expected on Wednesday, all City offices will be closed to the public on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, including all recreation centers, libraries and health centers.  The City of Philadelphia will direct its efforts to ensuring that our roads and highways are cleared of snow and public safety and well-being is preserved.  City of Philadelphia employees who are not required to work on the snow removal efforts or required to ensure public safety, are strongly encouraged to not report to work tomorrow, to aid in the City’s snow-removal efforts.

Mayor Nutter made the announcement in City Hall attended by City Council President Anna C. Verna, representatives from the School District of Philadelphia, SEPTA, Philadelphia International Airport, the First Judicial District, the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

All School District of Philadelphia schools, administrative and regional offices will be closed tomorrow.
The First Judicial District will be closed tomorrow.
SEPTA services are expected to be operational Wednesday morning, but service reductions and/or closure are expected.  Check local media for updates.

In addition, on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 9:00 pm Managing Director Camille C. Barnett will declare a snow emergency.  All vehicles parked on Snow Emergency Routes must be moved to an alternate parking location by 9:00p.m.  Any vehicle remaining on a Snow Emergency Route during the declared Snow Emergency will be ticketed and towed. If your car is towed, call 215-686-SNOW for its location. Do NOT call 911.  A list of snow emergency routes can be found at www.phila.gov/streets.

“Drivers are urged, again, to avoid unnecessary travel, but if you must travel, allow extra time and drive cautiously during this snow emergency,” said Director Barnett.

The Streets Department’s main goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free to ice and snow.  Roadways will continue to be treated throughout the storm until after precipitation stops and roads are clear.

Over 480 pieces of equipment are expected to be deployed as soon as there is a treatable snowfall, and approximately 18,000 tons of salt are available to be used on city roadways.

In preparation for the snow, Streets Department crews began Tuesday applying a brine solution – a treatment process to prevent icing – to high elevation, hilly streets.  Over 600 City operational staff are expected to be utilized during the storm and remain on duty through Wednesday and Thursday to monitor roadways.  “We are asking residents to be patient as we continue to fight against the last storm.
As the next one comes in, we don’t know what to expect, but we’ll be prepared for the worst.”  said Streets Commissioner Clarena Tolson.

For successful snow and ice management, Streets Commissioner Tolson urges residents to follow these tips:

Apply any commercial de-icer on steps and sidewalks early to prevent residual moisture from freezing over and creating icy conditions.
Clear a sidewalk path at least 30” wide within 6 hours of the end of the storm as listed in the Philadelphia Code (10-720).
Clear snow from neighborhood sewer drains to allow melting snow to drain.
Be conscious of the environment – use de-icing salts only as much as needed. One pound of de-icer can cover 100 to 200 square feet.
Salt should be applied as soon as a light accumulation has developed on the surface. This will break the bond between additional accumulations and the pavement surface, and will make it easier to shovel.
A final light application of a de-icer may be required after removal is completed to melt the residual snow.
Make sure you park your car as far away from the corner as possible. Cars parked too close to the corner limit the turning radius of salting vehicles.
Stay tuned to local media for further updates.
Check on sick and elderly neighbors.

Trash and recycling collection will be cancelled for those areas that have Wednesday pickup.  The schedule for the rest of the week is to be determined.  The Streets Department urges residents to hold on to their trash and recycling until further notice.

In anticipation of predictions for another heavy snow storm, Philadelphia Parking Authority Executive Director Vince Fenerty announced that beginning today at 5:00 PM and running through Friday morning at 7:00 AM, the PPA will offer a “special 24 hour flat snow rate of $5.00 for parking in all of the PPA’s center city garages.”

The special $5.00 “snow rate” for 24 hours of parking will go into effect today at 5:00 PM and be in effect all day Wednesday, Thursday and ending Friday morning at 7:00 AM in the following center city garages owned/operated by the PPA:

Gateway Parking at 16th & Vine
AutoPark at JFK (16th & JFK)
AutoPark at Independence Mall (5th & Market)
AutoPark at Jefferson (10th & Ludlow)
AutoPark at Gallery Mall (10th & Filbert)
8th & Filbert
Old City at 2nd and Samson

“During this pending snow emergency, we are pleased to work with Mayor Michael Nutter to encourage people to act now and park their vehicles in garages,” Fenerty said.

To report a street in need of salting or plowing or for more information on any Streets Department program or service, call 3-1-1. You may also visit us online at www.phila.gov/streets/Snow.html

MAYOR NUTTER TO PROVIDE UPDATE ON CITY’S SNOW STORM PLANS

WHO:

 

Streets Department Commissioner, Clarena Tolson

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Everett Gillison

Office of Emergency Management, MaryAnn Tierney

 

WHAT:

WHERE:

City Hall, Mayor’s Reception Room Room 202Mayor Nutter and senior City officials will provide an update on snow removal plans and advise citizens on what to expect.Managing Director, Camille BarnettMayor Michael A. Nutter

WHEN:

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 4:00 pm

STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF REP. JOHN MURTHA

Philadelphia, February 8, 2010

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John Murtha. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.

He was a true American patriot who cared passionately about the United States of America, and in particular about our men and women in uniform.

Though he did not technically represent Philadelphia, I worked with Representative Murtha on a number of occasions as he cared deeply about this city and our citizens.

He will be remembered as a spirited and dedicated leader, admired and respected by all, who will be missed by Pennsylvanians, as well as concerned citizens across the United States.

– Mayor Michael A. Nutter has issued the following statement on the death of Representative John Murtha of Pennsylvania:

MAYOR NUTTER ANNOUNCES PERSONNEL CHANGES AND RE-ALIGNMENT OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE

Changes designed to increase productivity, maximize skill sets and improve work-flow

 

Philadelphia, February 8, 2010

 

“I am pleased to have such a cadre of bright, talented young people in leadership positions within my Administration and I appreciate the wide range of skill sets and the professional competence that each brings to the table,” said Mayor Nutter. “Their breadth and depth of knowledge surpasses their years and I look forward to working with each of them in their new roles.”

The internal changes announced today include:

 

Luke Butler will assume the role of Special Assistant to the Mayor

Maura Kennedy will assume the new title of Deputy Press Secretary for Planning and Coordination.

Aviva Kievsky will assume the new title of Senior Press Aide

Katherine Martin will assume the new role of Press Aide

in the Mayor’s Office of Press and Communication where she will serve as a part of the press and communication operation by providing general administrative support, research, writing and event planning. Katherine previously served as the Briefing Book Coordinator in the Mayor’s Scheduling Office.. Aviva previously held the title of Press Aide. Maura previously held the title of Deputy Press Secretary. where he will be primarily responsible for staffing the Mayor on a day-to-day basis and serve as an on-site point of contact for the Mayor. In addition to these new responsibilities, he will retain many of his press/communications responsibilities, including responding to media inquiries and preparing some of the Mayor’s remarks and statements. Luke previously served as Deputy Press Secretary in the Mayor’s Press Office.

 

Erica Atwood will assume the new role of Coordinator, External Affairs and Community Engagement

in the Mayor’s Office of Legislative Affairs where she will work with Tumar Alexander, Deputy Director of Legislative and Community Affairs, to develop and implement a sustained community outreach strategy for the Administration. Erica previously served as the Deputy City Representative in the Office of the City Representative.

 

Mary Horstmann will assume the new role of Deputy Director, Policy Planning and Coordination

where she will work with Suzanne Biemiller, Director of that Office, to research, develop and write policy positions for the Administration in coordination with the Chief of Staff, Deputy Mayors and other City agencies as appropriate. Mary previously served as the Director of Private Sector Initiatives in the Office of the Managing Director.

 

David Torres will assume the new role of Mayoral Aide

where he will be responsible for providing technical and organizational support and coordination for both the Special Assistant to the Mayor and the Mayor’s Executive Assistant. David previously served as Language Access Coordinator in the Office of the Managing Director.

 

In addition to these internal transfers, Mayor Nutter welcomes two new additions to the executive branch of government from outside of his Administration.

 

Lauren Vidas will join the Administration as an Assistant to the Finance Director.

She will provide analytical support to the Finance Director and provide additional support to the Mayor’s Office as Coordinator, External Affairs and Public Engagement in the Mayor’s Office of Legislative Affairs working closely with Tumar Alexander from time to time. Lauren previously served as a Legislative Aide and Staff Attorney in the Office of City Councilman Bill Green.

 

“Lauren has been a tremendous asset to everything we’ve been able to accomplish during her time in City Council. I’m confident that she’ll be an asset to the Administration as well. I wish her well and look forward to working with her in her new role,” said Councilman Bill Green.

 

Brian Abernathy will join the Administration as a Deputy Managing Director

in the Office of the Managing Director where he will be responsible for managing the activity of the Private Sector Outreach Board and for implementation of Reform Team recommendations. Previously, Brian served as Director of Policy and Public Relations in the Office of City Councilman Frank DiCiccio.

 

“Brian is an extremely intelligent, loyal and dedicated public servant and has been an integral and trusted part of my team for a long time. I wish him the best as he moves on to pursue his goals. As they say, one person’s loss is another’s gain,” said Councilman Diciccio. “Brian is a great addition to the Administration.”

 

There are no salary changes associated with any of the aforementioned announcements.

– Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced several personnel changes to the Mayor’s Office. The changes were designed to increase productivity, maximize respective skill sets, improve workflow and strengthen team operations within the Mayor’s Office. There are no salary changes associated with any of the following announcements.

Inclusion Works For All Philadelphians, February 8, 2010

It’s inspiring for me to see so many people here today committed to growing an economy that offers opportunity for everyone in the City of Philadelphia.

We live in a time when markets, here and abroad, are linked as never before.

Philadelphia is a world-class city and a city of great diversity. It’s been one of our great strengths.

But in the years to come, our diversity will keep us strong only if all Philadelphians are included in all opportunities to prosper, only if everyone has the chance to compete and be successful.

Our duty is to foster diversity among the ranks of entrepreneurs whose vision and drive create wealth and employment as well as diversity in the workforce itself so that we can build a larger and stronger middle class.

To create this economy of inclusion will take new partnerships, bringing together businesses large and small, the lending community, labor, city government and the array of business associations, non-profits and the Foundation community — all committed to breaking down barriers that have held this city back in the name of a more prosperous and just society.

In October 2008, I signed an Executive Order, which is now transforming city government’s relationship with minority-, women- and disabled-entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs.

We took an agency that was buried in the depths of the city Finance Department , isolated far from where economic policy is debated and decisions made and moved it to the city Commerce Department where issues of inclusion are now first and foremost a critical part of our economic decision-making process at all levels.

The new Office of Economic Opportunity, the OEO, is overseen by the Economic Opportunity Cabinet, composed of the managing director, the finance director, the city solicitor, the four Deputy Mayors, the Chief Integrity Officer, the Procurement Commissioner and me, as chair.

This change in structure flowed from a fundamental shift in our thinking and my personal belief about minority-, women- and disabled-owned businesses.

For these businesses, winning a city contract is important but it’s not quite honestly enough, and it’s certainly not an end in itself.

Rather, we believe city government’s economic power can best be employed by helping these small businesses gain the technical expertise and capacity needed to grow in the Philadelphia regional and even the global economy.

And this mission is so important that it demands oversight at the highest level of government. That’s why some of the most senior decision makers in the government now sit on the Economic Opportunity Cabinet.

In the last year, our administration has been intensely focused on jobs – their preservation and their creation.

The Great Recession has been painful for families, of course for city government and especially for small business owners who have seen customers disappear and their access to capital sharply limited – and frankly minority, women and disabled-owned company owners know this better than anyone.

Poverty and unemployment disproportionately impact minorities in Philadelphia. That’s a fact. Therefore, growing more and larger minority, women- and disabled-owned businesses, which generate jobs in neighborhoods, is absolutely critical to our future.

In a city where a majority of residents are Black, Latino and Asian and women, we should no longer be satisfied that only a quarter of the city’s estimated 63,000 small businesses are owned by minorities, companies that generate about 3 percent of total business revenues.

We should no longer be content that only a fifth of these small businesses are owned by women. I am not satisfied; we must do better.

Today, we’re releasing our strategic plan to help correct these painful disparities that are a historical deadweight on Philadelphia’s future prosperity. Some of the plan’s initiatives are already completed, others are in process or planning.

The strategic plan focuses on two broad but important goals – how can the City of Philadelphia spur the creation of more minority-, women- and disabled-owned businesses and how can the city ensure that more of these businesses have access to work from city government and also from the for profit and non-profit corporations in the regional economy.

Goal No. 1

With more companies on the city registry, City departmental managers or staff will no longer have the excuse that they can’t find a qualified company to do the work.

To accomplish this goal, OEO must change its ways. It can no longer devote most of its resources to the complicated task of certifying a business as minority or women-or disabled- owned.

Fortunately, there are many local, state and federal certification programs that make sure a business is what it says it is. The city will use those certification programs and essentially get out of the certification business.

OEO staff will therefore devote itself to the more fruitful task of growing the number of small businesses and their fiscal and operational capacity.

We’ll link our larger minority- and women-owned businesses with newcomer firms in mentoring relationships, and using that mentoring model, we’ll help new businesses consult with leaders in high-growth industries, key educational institutions and finance firms.

And we’ll work with the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and its CEO Access Network that pairs leaders from large majority-owned businesses with smaller, minority owned businesses. That program has doubled in size in its second year.

As part of our overall outreach to immigrant communities, the Commerce Department will link new immigrant entrepreneurs with its range of services, particularly its commercial corridor programs.

Last week, City officials participated in a workshop at The Enterprise Center that brought together small minority-owned businesses for meetings with major contracting businesses and public sector agencies, all involved in spending Federal Recovery dollars.

It was a massive networking session for recovery dollars. And these kinds of structured events really do work.

Using tools like that, the City in effect is helping create a network where big companies and the newcomers can get to know each other, exchange information and begin to do business … profitably.

, by the end of FY2011, we’re aiming to increase by 25 percent the number of businesses on our registry of minority, women and disabled owned businesses. 

Emergency Operations Center Scales Back Activities

PHILADELPHIA, PA – As of 11:00 a.m. today, the City’s Emergency Operations Center was been scaled back to a situation room and is operating with Office of Emergency Management staff until 1:00 p.m. The Snow Emergency will be lifted at noon today and towing of vehicles from Snow Emergency Routes will be suspended at that time. If your car was towed, call 215-686-SNOW for its location. Do NOT call 911. The School District of Philadelphia will announce later today if schools will open on Monday. Streets Commissioner Clarena I. W. Tolson announced that trash and recycling scheduled for Monday will be picked as usual.

Mayor Nutter has expressed his gratitude to the Streets Department employees and the many City agencies who worked diligently around the clock to get the City’s major roads plowed and opened to traffic. Salting, plowing and other snow removal efforts are still underway.

Streets Department crews will continue to focus their efforts on treating primary, secondary, hilly residential streets and other residential streets. Residents are asked to begin calling Monday to report a street in need of salting or plowing.

Streets Commissioner Tolson asks residents to continue to follow regulations so crews can continue to with snow removal efforts from the roadways:

Park vehicles at least 20 feet from the corner, as required by law. Cars parked too close to the corner limit our ability to salt and plow roads.

It is dangerous and illegal to shovel or plow snow into the street. Placing snow in the street after it has been cleared will create dangerous icy patches.

Please place snow in a safe place on your property so that snow mounds do not obstruct the cleared pathway.

Drive with caution as black ice is expected to form on the roadways.

Clear a sidewalk path at least 30″ wide within 6 hours of the end of the storm.

Clear snow from neighborhood sewer drains to allow melting snow to drain.

Stay tuned to local media for updates.

Check on sick and elderly neighbors.

“Fire Department forces are clearing snow from fire hydrants,” said Commissioner Lloyd Ayers. “However if the hydrant on your block is still covered with snow, help us out and dig them out.”

Water Commissioner Bernard Brunwasser asks Philadelphia residents to remove snow piled in front of the storm drains. “It’s important to make sure that storms drains on your block are clear, allowing the runoff to flow freely to the drains,” said Commissioner Brunwasser. Water Department crews continue to clean trash and debris from the drains, and to remove ice and snow that are blocking access to them. “Getting to all 75,000 storms drains around the City can be a daunting task. That’s why we are asking residents to help shovel snow and ice away from the storm drains,” explains Commissioner Brunwasser.

The Code Blue is still in effect. If you see a homeless person in need of assistance, please call the Homeless Outreach Coordination Center at 215-232-1984.

Mayor Nutter asks Philadelphians to check on the elderly and neighbors who may be sick. He also asks Philadelphians to help each other to dig out from the second highest snow storm ever recorded in Philadelphia.

Approximately 1,520 calls were received by Philly 311 on Saturday. Normal Saturday call volume is 200 to 300 calls. The most asked questions were related to snow plowing and salting requests, and which SEPTA routes were running,

To sign up for emergency text alerts or to get Philadelphia Police alerts from ReadyNotifyPA, visit

MAYOR NUTTER AND CITY OFFICIALS TO OFFICIALLY UNVEIL THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN

WHO:

 

 

Curtis Gregory, Director, Office of Business Services and Office of Economic Opportunity

Business community representatives

WHAT:

WHERE:

City Hall, Mayor’s Reception, Room 202Mayor Nutter, City officials will announce the Office of Economic Opportunity’s plan to increase the availability and utilization of MWDBE’s. Kevin Dow, Chief Operating Office, Commerce DepartmentAlan Greenberger, Executive Director, City Planning CommissionMayor Michael A. Nutter

WHEN:

Monday, February 8, 2010 1:00 pm

CITY EMPLOYEE SENTENCED FOR TO THEFT OF FEDERAL PROGRAM FUNDS AND WITNESS TAMPERING

Philadelphia, February 5, 2010

Wilkins admitted at her guilty plea that she abused her position as a Real Estate Specialist for the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) by stealing a City-owned property. Wilkins falsified documents so the house could be sold to her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend for only $1.00, and told a witness to lie to a federal grand jury.

 

Inspector General Kurland testified that the case was especially significant to the City and goes deeper than a monetary loss. She stated: “Wilkins’s crime is especially egregious because PHDC’s mission is to provide housing to Philadelphia’s low- and moderate-income households. In addition to the fraud on the public, honest, hardworking City employees are tainted by the perception that City employees are corrupt.” Inspector General Kurland further testified that Wilkins conduct erodes the faith of the citizens in the city’s ability to function and of agency’s ability to fulfill its mission. This damage cannot be measured.

Additionally, as a result of this conviction, Wilkins will lose her City pension.

City of Philadelphia Inspector General, Amy L. Kurland, United States Attorney Michael L. Levy and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge, Janice Fedarcyk announce that former City employee Brenda Wilkins was sentenced today after her conviction for violations of 18 U.S.C. § 666(a) (Theft of Federal Program Funds) and 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(1) (Witness Tampering). U.S. District Court Judge J. Curtis Joyner imposed a sentence of 5 months imprisonment, 5 months home detention and 3 years supervised release. Judge Joyner also ordered Wilkins to make restitution to the City in the amount of $52,700.–

MAYOR NUTTER TO PROVIDE UPDATE AHEAD OF SNOW STORM

Mayor Nutter and senior City officials will provide an update ahead of the snow storm, outlining snow removal plans for the weekend and advising citizens about what to expect during the storm.Managing Director, Camille BarnettMayor Michael A. NutterFriday, February 5, 2010 12:00 pm

WHO:

North West corner of City Hall, 15^th and JFK

 

Police Commissioner, Charles Ramsey

Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Public Utilities, Rina Cutler

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Everett Gillison

Office of Emergency Management, MaryAnn Tierney

 

 

WHAT:

 

WHERE:

 

WHEN:

RESIDENTS OF NORTH PHILADELPHIA, NORTHERN LIBERTIES, FAIRMOUNT, AND FISHTOWN START EARNING PHILADELPHIA RECYCLING REWARDS, MORE NEIGHBORHOODS COMING EACH MONTH

Recycling Rewards Program Benefits Residents, Stimulates Local Businesses and Saves Taxpayers

Philadelphia – Thursday, February 4, 2010 – At the Fresh Grocer, a rewards partner in historic Sullivan Progress Plaza, Mayor Michael A. Nutter officially marked the first week of Recycling Rewards collections in the Art Museum area, Fairmount, Brewerytown, parts of North Philadelphia, Northern Liberties, Kensington, Fishtown and Port Richmond and encouraged all city residents to sign up for the program.  Philadelphia Recycling Rewards will be rolled-out monthly over six months based on sanitation service areas with the entire City receiving service by July.  Philadelphia Recycling Rewards is a partnership between the City of Philadelphia, the Streets Department and RecycleBank.  The program allows residents with City provided recycling collection to earn points that are redeemed through RecycleBank for groceries, gift cards, merchandise and entertainment at hundreds of participating local and national merchants.  Philadelphia is proud to be the largest City in the United States to reward its residents for their recycling efforts.

“I am thrilled to bring Recycling Rewards, a partnership with Philadelphia’s own RecycleBank, to Philadelphia. Recycling has always paid off in several ways, but never before so directly,” said Mayor Nutter.  “Recycling has always saved the environment through diverting refuse from the land fills, saved the City money by paying less in landfill fees, and now it will save residents money by allowing them to use their rewards at area businesses.  With the opportunity to get rewarded, I expect every Philadelphian to join their neighbors in recycling.”

Residents in Philadelphia can earn hundreds of dollars worth of rewards for recycling each year.  They can redeem their rewards at many of local businesses including: Fresh Grocer, ACME, select Shop Rite Locations, Rite Aid, CVS/pharmacy, Rita’s Water Ice, Las Cazuelas, Reading Terminal Market, Second Street Pizza, London Grill, and hundreds more.  Major retailers and national brands such as Coca-Cola, Kraft, Seventh Generation, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ruby Tuesday and Bed, Bath & Beyond also participate. Philadelphians will also have an option to donate their Recycling Rewards to environmental initiatives at local schools through the RecycleBank Green Schools Program.

Philadelphia Recycling Rewards is anticipated to bring the City’s recycling diversion rate– the amount of recyclable materials that are diverted away from landfills—to record levels.   Every ton of waste diverted from landfills currently saves the city about $70.  The program is a “pay for performance” contract and shares the savings for additional tons of recycling collected above and beyond current levels. This means RecycleBank only gets paid when the City increases recycling and reduces trash.

“Philadelphia took the initiative in 2005 to be the very first city to pilot our service and since then we have grown to service millions of people across 25 states and the UK. We are proud and excited to have the opportunity to continue to service Philadelphia.” said Ron Gonen, CEO and co-founder of RecycleBank. “We look forward to helping the City of Philadelphia become a model of urban environmental management, reaching and surpassing their Greenworks Philadelphia Goals.”

“We’re delighted to be part of a local environmental program that changes behavior,” said Patrick J. Burns, President and CEO of Fresh Grocer. “At The Fresh Grocer, we are dedicated to operating our stores with an ongoing commitment to the environment.  Partnering with RecycleBank and rewarding our customers for recycling certainly aligns with our mission.”

Clarena I. W. Tolson, Streets Commissioner stated, “This program not only makes the City greener by increasing recycling rates and saving the City from costly landfill fees; it puts some green back into the pockets of our local residents by giving them points redeemable at local businesses.”

The Mayor has set ambitious goals with Greenworks Philadelphia, which has recycling goals including a 20 percent diversion rate by 2011 and 25 percent by 2015.  Philadelphia Recycling Rewards powered by RecycleBank will help the City achieve and hopefully exceed those goals.

The Philadelphia Recycling Rewards roll-out schedule is as follows:

February 2010: North Philadelphia
March 2010: Lower Northeast, Frankford and Logan Sections
April 2010: West and Southwest Philadelphia
May 2010: Center City and South Philadelphia
June 2010: Northeast Philadelphia
July 2010: Northwest Philadelphia

For more information about Philadelphia Recycling Rewards Program, and to sign-up for a rewards account, please visit www.PhillyRecyclingPAYS.com or call the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards Customer Affairs Unit at 1-888-769-7960.

###

About RecycleBank
RecycleBank® motivates people to recycle and rewards consumers for taking greener actions with points that can be redeemed from participating local and national business partners. Through collaboration and innovation, RecycleBank is helping to create a culture that encourages people to take simple steps towards greener lifestyles. With new products and services like residential recycling, product reuse, expanded e-waste recycling, responsible disposal or simply focusing on using what already exists in the world today, we believe that making greener choices shouldn’t feel at all like a trade off. It should be a trade up, and so RecycleBank rewards you every step of the way.  RecycleBank currently provides service to over one million people across the U.S. and the U.K. and has been recognized with a number of business and environmental awards, including being named as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and as a Champion of the Earth by the United Nations Environmental Programme. RecycleBank is headquartered in New York City.  For more information, visit www.RecycleBank.com.

# # #

How to sign-up and participate in Philadelphia’s Recycling Reward Program:

City of Philadelphia residents can sign-up for and begin participating in Philadelphia Recycling Rewards through a few easy steps:

Visit www.PhillyRecyclingPAYS.com online and click on “Get Started Now”. Individuals will complete the simple registration form to initiate a free Philadelphia Recycling Rewards household account. Residents that would prefer to sign-up over the telephone will call 1-888-769-7960 and speak to a customer service representative.

The Philadelphia Recycling Rewards stickers will be mailed to each participating residence starting in January 2010. The sticker can be recognized by recycling trucks and record if a household recycled that week. The sticker should be placed on the primary container that is used to put out recyclable materials.

When the program begins in a sanitation district, technology on the recycling truck will read that recyclable materials are being collected. Residents participating in the program will receive reward points  based upon their sanitation areas recycling  diversion rate. Bonus points will also be given for neighborhoods that significantly reduce the amount of trash that goes to the landfill.

To redeem, residents will log onto their account at www.PhillyRecyclingPAYS.com to view their total Points and “shop” for the rewards that they want or can call 1-888-769-7960 and speak to a customer service representative. Online rewards will be emailed directly to residents while in store rewards will be mailed to their home within seven business days.