Starting an Apartment Recycling Program

You may be passionate about separating your recyclables, but that doesn’t guarantee that your apartment manager feels the same way. But starting a recycling program in your apartment complex is very doable. Most cities even offer resources to help apartment complexes start recycling.

Philip Weiss, a Seattle resident, points out that city’s policy on recycling programs at apartments is a little further along than other municipalities: “Seattle makes every apartment recycle. They fine you if there’s anything recyclable in your trash.” But the city of Seattle does everything it can to support recycling: it provides guidance, regular pickups and the necessary equipment. More information on Seattle’s program is available through the city’s website.

Even if your city doesn’t support apartment recycling programs as well as Seattle does, you can put together your own apartment recycling program. While mentioning the fact that your complex really ought to recycle can be enough to get some apartment managers moving in that direction, you can do it all on your own.

The first step is to find a  waste removal company that picks up recyclables. If you’re lucky, the company that already handles trash pickup in your complex can provide such services.

A key question for any recycling program that you suggest either to your landlord or your fellow tenants is “What will it cost?” You’ll find that, as long as you’re sticking with your apartment complex’s trash removal company, the cost will just be added to normal services.

It may add a few dollars to everyone’s rent to cover the costs of recycling — but it won’t be a huge leap. However, if you have to bring in a separate service for recycling, the cost can be significantly more.

Once you have some numbers, you’ll want to approach both your fellow tenants and the apartment manager. If you’re confident that the other tenants want to get a recycling program in place, it’s often worth talking to them first and getting them to agree to help with the cost. That way, when you approach your landlord, you can mention how interested other tenants are — and hopefully be able to say that they’re comfortable with adding a few dollars to their rent to cover the expense of the program.

If you can offer your apartment manager the ideal company, along with tenant agreement, all that he will need to do is call the trash company and start the service. If you keep it that simple, your program will get off the ground quickly.

Any experience starting a recycling program at your apartment or in your building? We’d love to hear your tips to help others launch a successful program!