CHICAGO--Together Congressman Michael Quigley (IL-5), Alderman Mary O'Connor (41st Ward) and Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Charles Williams helped kick-off the Coca-Cola and Jewel-Osco "Recycle & Win" contest.  Now Chicagoans who recycle properly are Chicagoans who can win.  The program will offer $50 Jewel-Osco gift cards to households spotted recycling properly in the City of Chicago's Blue Cart. 

"Across America climate change is threatening our natural resources, and reversing this trend requires actions big and small, nationally and in our local communities.  Chicago's Blue Cart Recycling Program is a common sense conservation effort that helps every day citizens become environmental heroes, and I am pleased to join Coca-Cola and Jewel-Osco today to help kick-off this wonderful event," said Congressman Quigley. 

Over the next 10 weeks, Chicagoans will again have the chance to win a $50 Jewel-Osco gift card through "Recycle & Win."  Coca-Cola's "Recycle & Win" prize patrol vehicles will check alleys citywide to reward residents properly recycling with their city-provided Blue Recycling Cart.  Residents found recycling right will receive their Jewel-Osco gift card in the mail. 

The "Recycle & Win" contest continues the partnership between Coca-Cola and the City of Chicago centered on solving environmental and sustainability challenges in the city.  Last year, the Coca-Cola Company and its philanthropic arm, The Coca-Cola Foundation, granted $2.59 million over five years to Keep America Beautiful.  This funding is helping boost citywide recycling through the Blue Cart Recycling Program.  Through this grant, the City of Chicago Blue Cart Recycling Program received 25,000 new Blue Carts in 2013.  Over the next five years, the City will receive an additional 25,000 new Blue Carts with 10,000 being delivered in 2014. 

"These initiatives reflect our core belief that when we all work together, real progress can happen," said Coca-Cola's Chicago Market Unit Vice President of Field Operations Ron Scott.  "By bringing together business, government and organizations like Jewel-Osco and Keep America Beautiful, Coca-Cola is creating long-term solutions to improve the sustainability of our city.  We are proud to have such a great community partners helping Chicagoans participate in the city's Blue Cart Recycling Program." 

Congressman Quigley, Alderman O'Connor and Commissioner Williams joined residents to kick-off the second annual "Recycle & Win" contest and to support the Blue Cart Program at a Get Out and Recycle Rally in Norwood Park today.  Including community leaders, business community members, Recycling Block Captains and residents, the Rally demonstrated the enthusiasm and positive momentum around recycling and the Blue Cart program. 

"Just about one year ago, I stood in my community alongside Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Commissioner Williams to announce the expansion of our City's Blue Cart Recycling Program.  The response from residents of my ward has been overwhelmingly positive," said Alderman O'Connor.  "Residents are excited about doing their part to promote environmental sustainability, and this exciting contest will certainly augment those efforts.  This is a perfect example of all the good things that can be accomplished when government partners with business." 

Last fall, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the completion of citywide Blue Cart Recycling expansion to more than 600,000 Chicago households.  In 2011, Mayor Rahm Emanuel implemented a managed competition for recycling services to create efficiencies and reduce operational costs on behalf of taxpayers.  Through managed competition, Chicago saves nearly $12 million annually in recycling collection. 

The City of Chicago's Blue Cart Recycling Program is a single stream recycling system.  It provides bi-weekly recycling collection services to residents who live in single family homes, as well as two-, three- and four-flat buildings. 

"The City in a Garden is no longer the tale of two cities when it comes to recycling thanks to Mayor Emanuel's commitment to expand Blue Cart Recycling to every neighborhood and every community in Chicago," said Commissioner Williams.  "With Blue Cart Recycling now operational citywide, we must sustain the enthusiasm around the program, and I believe the "Recycle & Win" contest will help us do just that." 

"We know from years of retail experience that nothing can motivate consumer change like contests can, so we're challenging every citizen in Chicago who has a Blue Recycling Cart to be caught recycling right and be eligible to win a Jewel-Osco gift card," said Shane Sampson, President of Jewel-Osco. 

For more information about the Blue Cart Recycling program, residents should call 311 or visit www.chicagorecycles.org. 

For more information on the "Recycle & Win" contest, residents should visit www.recycleandwinchicago.com. 

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Photo Caption:  Congressman Quigley joins Chicago residents to kick-off "Recycle & Win" and learn more about the City of Chicago's Blue Cart Recycling Program 

Photo Credit:  Emely Hampsten // Congressman Michael Quigley's Office.