Recycling in multi-family housing is vital to a community's overall recycling program. Multi-family housing is any residential building or complex with three or more leased or owned dwelling units. This can encompass various residential units such as condominiums, apartments, and townhouses.

Property management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a recycling program for multi-family housing. This involves ensuring the residents and the waste hauler adhere to source-separated recycling requirements. Failure to do so may result in potential violations and penalties being imposed on the property owner or management. The following information is intended to assist property managers, municipal recycling coordinators, builders, and residents in ensuring the successful implementation of recycling programs at multi-family complexes in Morris County.

• Multi-Family Toolkit:
  A guide to recycling at multi-family housing in Morris County
• Recycling Flyers & Posters for Multi-Family Residents

• Calculate the amount of recycling that will be generated based on the number of planned housing units. Then, choose the right size of containers based on how often the recycling will be collected. Also, allocate enough space in the site plan for recycling collection areas.
• Recycling and garbage dumpsters should always be placed together but kept separate from each other.
• Both recycling and trash containers should have clear labels.
• Ensure the recycling containers are easily accessible and safe for residents. Depending on the size of the complex, multiple collection areas may be needed.
• To encourage recycling, keep these areas well-lit, clean, and at an adequate height for larger containers, which may require stairs or ramps to be utilized.
• Use lids and enclosures to protect the containers from pests, rain, and illegal dumping.
• When deciding where to put the enclosures, ensure the collection trucks can access the containers and leave the complex without navigating obstacles. Consult the hauler for the exact vehicle specifications for clearance. Check with the municipality for specific planning requirements for vehicle access.
   

• Place labels at eye level on all containers' front, back, and sides.
• Use color, photos, or realistic illustrations.
• Provide signage and labels in languages appropriate for residents' needs.
• Include information on both acceptable and unacceptable materials.
• Be specific and include instructions on proper preparation of materials. Most collection programs require materials to be:
  • Empty, clean, and dry.
  • Loose and not contained in a bag.
  • Materials such as cardboard or newspapers shall not be tied or bound together.
  • Cardboard boxes shall be flattened to preserve space in their collection containers for collection by the hauler.
     
  
   

Recycling requirements should be clearly outlined in lease agreements for new tenants, and all residents should receive a resident handbook or publication containing this information. The details should cover source separation requirements, the materials that must be recycled, the locations of recycling bins and collection areas, and any other pertinent information about recycling schedules and protocols on the property. Property managers are responsible for notifying all residents about recycling requirements at least every six months. Effective notification can be achieved through the use of multiple methods, including:

• Personal letters
• Door-hangers
• Inclusion in property emails and newsletters
• Reminders in rent notices or maintenance bills
• Publication on the complex's website and social media.
   

Offer all educational materials in languages appropriate for residents' needs. If applicable, include information about the municipal recycling depot. Contact the property recycling hauler or the municipal recycling coordinator, as they may already have educational materials available.

For printable examples, see Recycling Flyers & Posters for Multi-Family Residents.

Many recycling programs require materials to be loose rather than in plastic bags. Property managers of complexes with centralized collection areas can acquire reusable recycling bags for tenants. These washable bags enable residents to store recyclables in their homes and transport them to collection areas without using plastic bags. They can also be customized with instructions and educational information about the recycling program.

The MCMUA offers apartment bags to a limited number of multi-family complexes within its service areas. For more information, please contact support@mcmua.com.