With over 1/3 of American’s living in apartments, the multi-family industry has a huge impact on the consumption of resources including water, energy and more. We know that properties with developed eco-friendly construction and operational models can reduce their water and energy consumption by 25% or more. As such, we have an incredible opportunity to reduce our nation’s ecological footprint and Help us Save the Earth.

Developing a recycling program for your apartment community is an easy and positive ecological step you can take. Your property’s on-site management team plays an integral role in the recycling program’s success. There are several ways property operators can help make recycling in multifamily complexes both convenient and simple. Keeping recycling containers in a convenient location and educating tenants will be essential to your recycling program’s success.

We’ve gathered a few recycling tips for apartment managers:

• Convenience: Keep the recycling containers in a location that is convenient to tenants. Recycling should be as easy as taking out the garbage, so it is easy for tenants to recycle when they take out their trash. Recycling containers should be located in the same area as the garbage containers or in common areas such as the mail area and laundry room.
• Capacity: Recycling and garbage containers must have enough capacity to hold the materials that accumulate between collections. If your garbage bins are consistently partially empty, contact your garbage hauler to find out about getting a smaller bin. It will be more cost effective to call the hauler for occasional special pick-ups, than to maintain peak capacity year round.
• Cardboard: Most apartment complexes generate a large amount of cardboard. If you do not already have one, contact your trash hauler about getting a separate dumpster for cardboard collection.
• Labels & Signage: Make sure that your garbage and recycling bins are clearly labeled. You can place posters and signage near the recycling bins and in common areas. If tenants know what goes where they will be more likely to recycle.
• Education: Provide recycling information to your tenants at least once per year and to all new residents when they move in. If you have a monthly newsletter or a Facebook page, you can feature periodic reminders about what can be recycled and where.

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