Multifamily Recycling - Providing Collection Bags for Residents

Multifamily recycling - providing collection bags to residents In the past, we've provided reusable blue recycling bags free of charge to apartment and townhouse residents to encourage recycling. Residents use the bags to store materials and then take the materials to a central area outside the building where they put the materials in the appropriate container (newspaper, mixed paper, or containers). We're considering making a few changes to this program. In the past, we've sent the bags out through building managers but we're considering a campaign aimed at reaching the individual residents directly. We're also looking at a few different bag "designs" and formats. Does anyone have experiences they would like to share on this topic?

- how did you promote the program (get the bags out to residents)? .

- did you include information on the bag in terms of what could or could not be recycled?

- what supplier did you use for the bags, what kind of material was the bag made out of, and what was the approximate size/shape of the bag?

- did you obtain sponsorship from a local business for the cost of the bag?

- do you have any data on how providing the bags has affected recycling tonnages and general participation among MF residents?

- do you have any other lessons you can share on this issue or the issue of MF recycling generally?

Any information on what has worked or not worked is appreciated.

Caroline Jackson

Community Programs Coordinator
North Shore Recycling Program
148 East 2nd Street
North Vancouver, BC V7J 1Z6
t: 604.984.9730
f: 604.984.3563
e: [email protected]
www.nsrp.bc.ca