It pays to be green. That’s the message RecycleBank, a rewards program that motivates people to recycle, wants to get across.

Under the program, participants can earn up to $35 RecycleBank Dollars each month based on their amount of recycling. Recipients can use those rewards for coupons, gift cards and gift certificates from 20 main categories, everything from cafes and restaurants to grocery stores and apparel companies.

Users can pick from more than 400 national and local businesses, including Petco, Staples, Omaha Steaks, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Timberland and Dick’s Sporting Goods, among other partners, said Ron Gonen, co-founder and CEO of RecycleBank.

Accrued points can also be used toward RecycleBank’s newest sponsor, Kraft Foods, for rewards on DiGiorno Pizza, Yuban Coffee, Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese and Kraft salad dressings.

Rewards are based on the amount, or weight, of participants’ recyclable materials. RecycleBank [http://www.RecycleBank.com] tracks each people’s contribution via containers that have a radio frequency identification tag to matches their household address. The recycling trucks carry scanners to record the weight of each bin in the firm’s database.

“We view ourselves as a loyalty program in the green space,” Gonen said. “We want people to understand its good to be green, and by being green they are being economically intelligent.”

The program, which launched in 2004, is available in more than 35 cities throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Jersey. The company plans to expand the initiative nationally this year, Gonen said.

Kraft is the official food sponsor of RecycleBank. The effort is part of a multi-year program, said Roger Zellner, director, global technology and quality sustainability, Kraft. As the effort continues, the CPG will switch out its offers and substitute them with other brands, he said.

“Kraft Foods overall is looking at sustainability by participating with RecycleBank…by engaging with consumers to be more proactive in recycling and rewarding them,” Zellner said “There’s no better way to give them a financial incentive.”

As a final option, participants can also donate their points to benefit local schools, of which the Coca-Cola Co. will make a matching donation.

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