The support of on-site management plays an important role in the recycling program’s success. There are several things that can be done to help make recycling in multifamily complexes convenient and understandable. Setting up convenient carts or bins and educating tenants are essential to the program’s success. We recommend the following:

Convenience:
Recycling should be just as convenient as taking out the garbage. Keep the recycling containers in a location that is convenient to tenants. Recycling containers should be located in the same area as the garbage containers so it is easy for tenants to recycle when they take out their trash. 

Place recycling containers 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 bin is consistently partially empty, contact your garbage hauler to find out about getting a smaller bin. It is often more cost effective to call the hauler for occasional special pick-ups, than to maintain peak capacity year round.

Cardboard: Most 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:
OCRRA provides decals and posters to help educate your tenants. Click here to order free supplies using our online order form!

Make sure that your garbage and recycling bins are clearly labeled. If tenants know what goes where they will be more likely to recycle.

Place posters and signage near the recycling bins and in common areas.

Education:
Provide recycling information to your tenants at least once per year and to all new residents when they move in. Contact OCRRA for free recycling info brochures to hand out and insert in move-in packets. When handing these out as reminders to existing tenants, feel free to edit and use our tenant memo.

If you have a monthly newsletter feature periodic reminders about what can be recycled and where.

Common Issues:

• Bulky waste: Frequent tenant moves may generate large amounts of bulky goods (such as furniture, appliances, and mattresses) and other reusable items. Several local non-profits and charities will accept these items and many will even pick them up. Call OCRRA at 453-2866 for more information on how to donate these items.
• Electronics: Tenants looking to dispose of electronic waste (such as computers, monitors and other electronic goods) should click here. Encourage them to donate working items for reuse, by contacting local donation centers to see what they will accept, check out our reuse links or call OCRRA for suggestions at 453-2866.
• Motor Oil: All locations that sell motor oil, including local gas stations and quick oil change stations, are required by law to accept used motor oil. Some may accept anti-freeze too.
• Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW): HHW encompasses a wide range of materials such as paint, solvents, pesticides, drain cleaners or any product that contains potentially harmful or dangerous chemicals. These products should never be poured down the drain or put in the trash. Encourage your tenants to dispose of these materials by taking them to one of OCRRA's Household Hazardous Waste Days. Appointments are required.

Additional Ideas:

• Share tables: Some complexes set up ‘share tables’ where people can leave behind unwanted goods and exchange them for others. Share tables should be regularly monitored by a volunteer or staff person. Lingering items should be donated to local charity on a regular basis.
• Apartment wide garage sale: Some apartment complexes have found that hosting a swap meet at the apartment complex is a great way to exchange unwanted items and also meet more neighbors.