Recycling for a multi-family apartment building can be a challenging venture for a landlord. Cooperation from all the tenants or maintenance staff is a must to make the program work too. Plus, you will need to make the trash collection system for your multi-family apartment building both easy and convenient for it to work properly. So below are some tips to help your recycling program to get started:
- Whenever you have a new tenant move in, you must go over the recycling rules to make sure the rules are understood for enforcement and the penalties that apply. You also need to show the new tenants the dumpsters, recycling bins or barrels and make sure that everything about their use is understandable. If needed, you may have to post signs in multiple languages if your tenants do not speak English as a first language.
- Buildings which don’t have the space in the actual apartments for additional recycling containers may need to have a central trash and recycling area for the tenants to use for the disposal of trash and recyclables. In addition, if your tenants do not speak English as a first language, then pamphlets printed in English may not be easy for them to understand either with their rules for the use of trash and recycle bins. If possible then, have the pamphlets properly translated and use pictures on the receptacles to show where items should be placed.
- Make sure your trash bins and recycle bins are placed in convenient places for your tenants to use. This is because as an example, if the trash bins are placed in an out of the way area and the recycle bins are handy, then the recycle bins will most likely be used for trash too. It’s better to have the bins trash bins and recycle bins convenient for the tenants for use then in their daily routine than for them to be convenient for trash haulers if necessary.
- Always make sure the signs and labels can be easily understood. Post reminders around the building concerning recycling too, and if you send newsletters monthly, add reminders there as well.
If you live in an area where recycling is the law, you can get fined for mixing trash and recyclables also. And if incidents of improper disposal are a reoccurring issue, your trash collector can refuse to take the trash from your building. So make sure recycling is done properly.