Yesterday was a big day for recycling in Philly.

Nutter announced his first budget yesterday and included was an additional $6.5 million for recycling with the goal to get single-stream city-wide by next january. if he succeeds he will do in a year what street refused to do in 8.

The Metro reports also that there will be funds to plant 25,000 trees over the next five years.

The Phila Parks Alliances is happy (from their email list):

The Philadelphia Parks Alliance applauds Mayor Nutter’s proposed 46% increase of the Fairmount Park budget over 5 years, from the current $13 million to $19 million. The Mayor’s budget would increase park funding by $2.5 million, including $1 million for street trees in FY 09 and by $6 million over 5 years.

City resources to Fairmount Park have been flat-lined for 30 years. Mayor Nutter is the first mayor in recent memory to significantly increase the park budget. This is a new day! It is a great start.

In his ‘An Honest Budget Now‘ from the campaign Nutter said he would:

Establish Office of Sustainability Coordinator: $5 Million over five years This funding will support the staffing of the Sustainability Cabinet, the energy audit and LEED certification of existing City buildings, and the development of a sustainable Philadelphia Building Code.

I haven’t had a chance yet to see if that is reflected in the current budget he outlined yesterday. If anyone has a chance it would be great to know if that is included.