By Jada Brazell    

Not to talk trash, but when it comes to recycling, Dallas outdoes Fort Worth.

The most recent report from North Central Texas Council of Governments reveals that while both cities have similar recycling programs, Dallasites out-green their neighbors to the west. To its credit, Fort Worth does lead the curbside program, tossing 18 percent more into the rolling carts than Dallas. And Fort Worth has far less access to drop-off locations than its counterpart.

The amount thrown away residentially throughout North Texas has grown since 2005, when the previous report was released; however, the amount recycled has increased as well, by about 7 percent. The report includes 71 North Texas cities and breaks recycling down into three basic categories: curbside, organic and other.

Dallas recycles almost 80 percent more than Fort Worth: 1,161 pounds per household versus Fort Worth’s 649 pounds per household.

The Drop-off Location Disparity

While the difference is extreme, so is the ratio of available drop-off locations, which many apartment dwellers are forced to use. Dallas, which is roughly the same physical size as Fort Worth, has 152 drop-off locations. Fort Worth only has three.

Moreover, Fort Worth’s drop-off locations are only for Fort Worth homeowners and “some renters.” To dispose at a drop-off location in Fort Worth, a Fort Worth resident must show either a recent water bill or current driver’s license with a Fort Worth address “to prove you have an active sanitation account.”

Dallas’ drop-off locations, which look like dumpsters, are available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With this kind of accessibility, even Dallas’ nearby neighbors could recycle without much hassle.

This factor deserves additional consideration, given the incredible difference in recycling participation between the two major cities.

Curbside Characteristics

Based on Fort Worth’s curbside recycling rate, the city fares well when adequate resources are provided.  Fort Worthians recycle 18 percent more than Dallasites, and both cities have a weekly curbside program. However, the City of Dallas issues standard-size carts that hold 30 to 40 gallons more than Fort Worth’s carts, so in terms of this difference alone, one might expect Dallasites to toss more since they have more space.

The difference in the programs, other than cart size, is that Fort Worth has a “variable rate” program and Dallas does not. This means that in Fort Worth, a resident pays a rate that reflects the size of his or her cart. A smaller cart means a smaller bill.

NCTCG concludes that “variable rates can be an effective method to increase recyclable volumes.”

Aside from what makes a drop-off or curbside program successful enough to motivate North Texas to recycle, the fact remains that only 19 percent of the more than 7 million tons disposed of in one year was recycled. North Texas residents whose recycling programs are inconvenient or non-existent are encouraged to contact city officials to voice concerns. Those with healthy recycling programs are encouraged to make a positive impact on the environment by taking advantage of the convenient and accessible options offered by the city.

Not to talk trash, but when it comes to recycling, Dallas outdoes Fort Worth.

The most recent report from North Central Texas Council of Governments reveals that while both cities have similar recycling programs, Dallasites out-green their neighbors to the west. To its credit, Fort Worth does lead the curbside program, tossing 18 percent more into the rolling carts than Dallas. And Fort Worth has far less access to drop-off locations than its counterpart.

The amount thrown away residentially throughout North Texas has grown since 2005, when the previous report was released; however, the amount recycled has increased as well, by about 7 percent. The report includes 71 North Texas cities and breaks recycling down into three basic categories: curbside, organic and other.

Dallas recycles almost 80 percent more than Fort Worth: 1,161 pounds per household versus Fort Worth’s 649 pounds per household.

The Drop-off Location Disparity

While the difference is extreme, so is the ratio of available drop-off locations, which many apartment dwellers are forced to use. Dallas, which is roughly the same physical size as Fort Worth, has 152 drop-off locations. Fort Worth only has three.

Moreover, Fort Worth’s drop-off locations are only for Fort Worth homeowners and “some renters.” To dispose at a drop-off location in Fort Worth, a Fort Worth resident must show either a recent water bill or current driver’s license with a Fort Worth address “to prove you have an active sanitation account.”

Dallas’ drop-off locations, which look like dumpsters, are available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With this kind of accessibility, even Dallas’ nearby neighbors could recycle without much hassle.

This factor deserves additional consideration, given the incredible difference in recycling participation between the two major cities.

Curbside Characteristics

Based on Fort Worth’s curbside recycling rate, the city fares well when adequate resources are provided.  Fort Worthians recycle 18 percent more than Dallasites, and both cities have a weekly curbside program. However, the City of Dallas issues standard-size carts that hold 30 to 40 gallons more than Fort Worth’s carts, so in terms of this difference alone, one might expect Dallasites to toss more since they have more space.

The difference in the programs, other than cart size, is that Fort Worth has a “variable rate” program and Dallas does not. This means that in Fort Worth, a resident pays a rate that reflects the size of his or her cart. A smaller cart means a smaller bill.

NCTCG concludes that “variable rates can be an effective method to increase recyclable volumes.”

Aside from what makes a drop-off or curbside program successful enough to motivate North Texas to recycle, the fact remains that only 19 percent of the more than 7 million tons disposed of in one year was recycled. North Texas residents whose recycling programs are inconvenient or non-existent are encouraged to contact city officials to voice concerns. Those with healthy recycling programs are encouraged to make a positive impact on the environment by taking advantage of the convenient and accessible options offered by the city.

Jada Brazell is a freelance writer who also consults for fashion- and art-based businesses on branding. She has written for the Odessa American, edited for the Texas Senate and RadioShack, and contributed to several magazines and newspapers in Central and South Texas.