Such losses of revenue can threaten the financial viability of the curbside programs altogether.

Recycled paper, glass, metal and plastics are being scooped up as never before through innovative curbside programs.

The curbside program has met a few hurdles.

After receiving a grant from the state in 1981, the City established three buy-back centers and launched its first curbside recycling program.

Last year, Philadelphia stopped collecting plastic as part of its curbside recycling program in order to trim $400,000 from its waste disposal budget.

Despite the proliferation of curbside pick-up programs, recycling rates have dropped over the last decade, in part because Americans consume so many beverages outside the home.

The law also began what became the state's curbside recycling program.

The two-year-old residential curbside program has suffered from lagging participation in many neighborhoods and high collection costs.

The city manager credited the recently-implemented curbside recycling program for reducing the need for a new landfill.

The city currently collects glass, paper and aluminum as part of a curbside recyling program.