Houston named as finalist in Bloomberg Philanthropies' Mayors Challenge

HOUSTON – Houston has been selected as a top 20 finalist for the Bloomberg Philanthropies' Mayors Challenge, a competition created to inspire American cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges and improve city life.

Houston was selected based on its innovative idea to tap game-changing technology for a new "one bin for all" plan that makes recycling easier for every Houstonian and diverts 75 percent of all waste.  

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The innovation is called "Total Reuse-One Bin for All." It eliminates separating garbage at home. Residents will place everything in one bin, allowing access to all materials, recyclables, food waste, yard trimmings and eWaste thus maximizing reuse.

"I am ecstatic that we are a finalist in the Mayors Challenge," said Houston Mayor Annise Parker. "The Challenge tapped into Houston's innovative spirit, asking us to find new solutions to persistent problems. We are an entrepreneurial city -- if you can dream it, you can achieve it here. We look forward to ideas camp to help turn our dream of full reuse and recycling and improved public health into reality."

Houston will now compete against 19 other cities across the country for the $5 million grand prize as well as one of four additional prizes of $1 million each.