A great new program that is being implemented across the United States is incentive-based recycling by RecycleBank. Although making-the-world-a-better-place should be incentive enough, RecycleBank gives homeowners a recycling container that is fixed with a barcode that is scanned by the recycling truck, and the amount that is recycled is transferred to Rewards Points that can be used at participating stores in the area. This system is guaranteed to force even the laziest people to sift through what their “trash” a little carefully when garbage day comes around. Keep reading after the cut for interesting stats provided by RecycleBank.

The average American generates 4.5 lbs of garbage per day.
The average American family generates approximately 2.5 tons of garbage a year.
One glass bottle saves enough electricity to light a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours.
One aluminum can saves enough energy to keep a 100-watt bulb burning for almost four hours or run your television for three hours.

And if this still doesn’t convince you that every neighbourhood should implement a system like this, watch this NBC report about the difference it’s making.