In a city like Fort Lauderdale, recycling can not only be character building; it can also be profitable.

In 2008, the city handed out more than $30,000 to 19 neighborhood associations for their efforts in the RecycleWorks program, a 20-year-old initiative that allows volunteers to help keep the city clean, and in return earn cash. South Middle River led the group for the second year, hauling in $4,485 last year.

A city recycling coordinator develops specific activities for each neighborhood as part of each year’s Recycling Incentive Grant. Each of the activities is worth a set amount of points to associations. Volunteers pitch in during community events such as the Starlight Musicals or the Scottish Festival.

“It’s sweat equity,” said Donna Mergenhagen, a Harbordale Civic Association board member. Her neighborhood brought in $4,355 last year through the RecycleWorks program. “[It is] hard, physical work.

Once the recycling bags are collected, city workers sell them to a recycling contractor like Choice Environmental Services of Broward County Inc., public information specialist for the city’s Public Works Department Monique J. Damiano said. The contractor pays us by the pound, and the money is turned over to the neighborhoods with no tax involved.

“It’s a great program,” Mergenhagen said, “because there are multiple angles. It gets citizens involved, it cleans up public areas, and the neighborhoods get money for things that will benefit them.”

Mergenhagen also said the neighborhood is considering using some of the recycling money to install medians onto Southeast 15th Street.

For many years, Harbordale was the annual leader in recycling points. Lately, however, top honors have gone to the South Middle River neighborhood. The neighborhood has earned $10,945 the past two years and will likely put the money into scholarships and sidewalk improvements.

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