For Immediate Release

 Surprise AZ (July 12, 2012) Surprise residents recycle more frequently and have a higher level of satisfaction with city recycling services than people nationwide, while residents rate the cleanliness of the city and the quality of city sanitation services as “much above” national benchmarks.

These are among the details emerging from the recently unveiled National Citizens Survey (NCS), conducted in the spring by the Colorado–based National Research Center.

97% of surveyed residents say they regularly recycle paper, cans or bottles from home, up from 90% in 2010 and “much above” the NCS database average of more than 500 communities.

“We added glass recycling services last fall, and the community has really responded,” said City Manager Chris Hillman.

Satisfaction with city recycling services also rose from 86% in 2010 to 90% in 2010. “That also puts us in the “much above” category,” he added. “The trends are definitely good. Surprise is solidly behind recycling.”

92% of residents rated the cleanliness of Surprise as good or excellent, up from 86% in the 2010 survey. 91% also rated trash pickup services highly.

“People often comment on how clean and new Surprise is,” said Hillman. “The challenge is to keep it that way. Our residents have really responded and taken pride in the appearance of our community.”

Hillman says the growth of City Council supported Pride Days, which now include hundreds of residents cleaning up neighborhoods and properties affected by foreclosure and other economic disruptions, have had an impact. “Surprise looks better than ever, and the survey bears that out,” he said.

People also notice city initiatives such as last winter’s drive to clean up trees and remove dead or damaged plant material along Bell Road, he added.

The entire survey can be viewed online at www.surpriseaz.gov.