The South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA)’s Multi-Family Dwelling Recycling Program is working to increase recycling and substantially reduce waste generated by residents in apartments and condos in seven cities from Burlingame to East Palo Alto.

Successful recycling at multi-family communities is difficult due to space constraints, inconvenience, and high turnover of residents and property managers, thus these residents are often overlooked in waste reduction programs. SBWMA’s program begins by working with the housing complex managers to develop site-wide recycling and waste reduction programs and uses a community-based social marketing approach to educate all residents. The program is offered free of charge and currently has over 150 complexes representing nearly 11,000 units participating.

By offering an in-unit recycling container, educating residents and property management, and organizing community-building activities, the program has achieved success stories such as a 182-unit community which started recycling under the program and is now recycling 42% of its total waste, saving $1,500 each month in garbage bills.

http://RethinkWaste.org
Contact: Debby Kramer
650-802-4349