Apartment and Depot Recycling

Recycling for Apartments

Multi-residential residences are those with 6 or more units, such as apartments, condominiums, and townhouses. If you live in or manage a multi-residential unit that uses 95-gallon carts (large carts on wheels) for recycling, the following information will help you learn how to recycle properly.

For Superintendents & Property Managers

superintendent recycling

Why recycle?

In multi-residential units, such as apartment buildings, condominiums, and townhouses, it is estimated that only 16% of waste is properly recycled.

Roles and Responsibilities

As a property owner or manager, you play an important role in your building’s recycling program. You should:

Multi-Residential Recycling Challenges

Compared to single-family homes, there are unique challenges when it comes to depot recycling.

Improper sorting

One of the biggest challenges faced by multi-residential units is the improper sorting of recyclable materials. This can be the result of confusion about what goes where, the lack of information and signage for tenants, or the convenience of dumping all materials into one recycling bin.

Contamination

Contamination happens when non-recyclable materials end up in the recycling bin. This can ruin an entire load of recycling and result in your recycling being left uncollected. Location – Some buildings have a small or inconvenient space to store their waste bins. If the complex has several buildings, the recycling area may be far away from some buildings. If the building’s recycling area is located outdoors, recycling can become even more of a challenge during extreme heat or cold/snowy months.

Differences between buildings and municipalities

Some apartments, condominiums, and townhouses have high turnover rates. Properties can differ in terms of the operation and location of their waste management systems, meaning tenants are unfamiliar with the recycling program requirements. New tenants may be be unsure of how to recycle right in the Quinte region.

What You Can Do:

There are steps you can take to minimize barriers and improve your building’s recycling program:

For Tenants

apartment recycling program

Why recycle?

Recycling helps protect the planet. Through proper recycling, you reduce the amount of material going to the landfill.

Recycling right saves money. Recycling is partially funded through tax dollars. Proper sorting and recycling makes the process more efficient and cost-effective. Recycling more can also reduce your building’s garbage tipping fees and can also help with rising rent prices.

As a resident of an apartment, condominium or townhouse, you are responsible for making an effort to recycle. It can be tricky to know which materials are recyclable how to dispose of them properly. Luckily, we have several resources on our website to assist you.

If you’re not sure whether an item is recyclable or how to dispose of it properly, look it up using the Rethink Waste Tool. 

Acceptable Materials: Plastic and Metal

These items go in your Containers Cart: Papers and Fibres

These items go in your Fibres Cart: Cardboard

Glass

Recycling Tips

There are many simple steps you can take to make recycling easy and convenient.

Hazardous and Electronic Waste

HAZARDOUS AND ELECTRONIC WASTE ARE NOT ACCEPTED IN THE BLUE BOX.
Hazardous waste includes items such as cleaning products, cooking oil, windshield washer fluid, paint, pesticides, and batteries. These can be taken to the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot in Belleville at 75 Wallbridge Crescent and to mobile events.
Electronic waste includes items such as computers, printers, phones, speakers, and TVs. E-waste can be taken to the Belleville depot or our facility in Trenton at 270 West Street.
For a full list of items considered hazardous and electronic waste, for depot hours of operation, or to find a mobile event near you, check out the Hazardous and Electronic Waste page of our website.

Hazardous and Electronic Waste