In honor of Earth Day, the city has installed 160 new trash and recycling bins throughout the Colorado Springs. It's all part of a new initiative to make Colorado Springs "green!"

The Public Space Recycling Program kicked off Friday and will come at no cost to the city or taxpayers. Sixty new combination trash and recycle bins in the core downtown area and 90 bins throughout seven of the city’s large community parks and sports complexes, including Acacia Park, Memorial Park, Palmer Park, Goose Gossage Sports Complex, Leon Young Sports Complex, Skyview Sports Complex, and the parking lot at Red Rock Canyon are being installed.

“In response to our community’s desire for a greener city, we are excited to bring forward this initiative,” says Sue Skiffington-Blumberg, City Public Communications Division Manager.

This public recycling program is made possible by a partnership with Greener Corners, a full-service public space recycling and environmental organization. Greener Corners will provide, install and maintain the recycling stations at no cost to the city or taxpayers. In return, advertisements sold by Greener Corners will be placed on recycle bins in order to cover the cost of the recycling program and earn additional revenue for the City.

“Not only are we increasing recycling opportunities, but we’ve also created new jobs in Colorado Springs and we’re providing a new source of revenue for City services without tax impacts," says Greener Corners Principal Aaron Klein. A local project manager, sales manager, and maintenance team will operate the Greener Corners program from their new offices on Tejon Street downtown.

“Green Teams” will be assembled from community groups and volunteers to conduct public awareness campaigns and educate citizens about the benefits of recycling. Green Team recruitment is going on now. Citizens may join the Green Team by contacting the educational coordinator at GreenTeamCOS@GreenerCorners.Com or 888-LOOK-4-GC.

Recyclables will be hauled along with trash by Waste Management, the City’s current contracted waste hauler. By year three of the program, the City hopes to have more than 400 recycling bins in public areas and parks throughout Colorado Springs.