Looking for Previous Recycling Campaigns in Large Office Blocks with Multiple Tenants

Hi Jo,

In Vancouver, BC the paper recycling program is sponsored through the local Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). They negotiate the contract with the recycling company on behalf of the entire region, thereby making it easy for their respective landlords to simply sign up. The response is incredible over 90% of landlords are on this program (its one less contract that they have to tender themselves and needless to say, there is far greater negotiating power for BOMA given the volume vs. individual buildings negotiating). As for the campaign aspect, I was the Manager of Tenant Relations for the largest commercial real estate company in the Canada for 6 years, the marketing campaign that I used was its easy being green. Every building occupant received an underdesk recycling bin with the marketing piece attached explaining the landlords commitment to going green and the expectations of the tenant to comply. In their kitchens we placed glass, plastic, metal recycling bins for collection of such and in the shipping and receiving area we placed battery recycling bins and computer recycling bins. We received credit back from the companies that picked up the paper, glass, plastic, metal, etc. thereby offsetting the costs of pick up. For the most part I would say tenants complied with recycling and for those that didnt, on rare occasions, we refused to pick up their garbage (fortunately we were able to get away with this extreme measure as the City landfill had the right to fine us if we disposed of recyclable material and this was our defense). One thing to consider is construction waste. This is a huge component of office tenant waste. The demolition and construction that occurs every time a new lease is signed is enormous. By instituting some strict guidelines for tenant contractors for the sorting and recycling of construction waste we were able to divert tonnes of garbage from the City landfills. This of course needs to be backed up with appropriate language in the lease for enforcement of the guidelines.

Hope I answered some of your questions. If not, please let me know Id be glad to share my experiences.

Jennifer Davis

Strategic Connections Inc.
Suite 1410 1130 West Pender St.
Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4
Ph. 604.684.2429
www.strategicconnections.com