Bay Beach recycling can, Sep. 16, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The city of Green Bay is trying to make sure that recycling bins at Bay Beach are full of what they should be. A report suggests that as much as 25%-35% of what goes into the bins is actually garbage or non-recyclable.
More recycling cans or increased signage could help. The city’s sustainability commission discussed a unique way of sparking the change, a reverse vending machine.
The agenda item’s report listed Envipco and TOMRA as examples. The technology, shown in these images from TOMRA, is available in several places across the country and world.
Green Bay District 6 Alderperson Joey Prestley says it could be a way to get people more engaged in recycling.
“The idea is just it’s a different way of recycling. It’s a high-tech way of recycling and it’s a way to incentivize recycling, potentially. This is a small part, potentially of a larger ecosystem, of getting folks interested in recycling and excited about recycling,” said Prestley.
The first incentive that was suggested was tickets for rides at Bay Beach. However, that incentive is unlikely to be financially feasible.
Another suggestion was to donate proceeds from recycled materials to benefit other people in need.
Prestley estimated a pilot of the machine could cost less than ten thousand dollars. How would this get paid for?
“We’re not going to spend levy money on it. It would have to be grant funded or it would have to be sponsored,” said Prestley.
The sustainability commission is advisory only. It tabled this discussion until its next meeting.
For the idea to move toward reality, city council must direct city staff to evaluate a pilot program’s feasibility. Down the road, city council would also have final say on implementation.
If approved, found to be financially feasible and well received by the public, Prestley says the initiative could also be implemented in other high-traffic areas across Green Bay, such as the Joannes Aquatic Center or the City Deck.
Several NFL stadiums, including the homes of the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, have implemented the technology.
The Philadelphia Eagles were the first to introduce it.
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