|
Jan 24
2009
|
To recycle or not to recycle...there is NO question
Posted by: Anne Sadovsky on Jan 24, 2009 01:00 Tagged in: Recycling , Green Ideas
|
|
What is it going to take to get our industry to join the recycling movement? Notice I didn't say trend, because recycling is here to stay! If we don't go willingly, eventually we will be forced...so we had just as well jump on the bandwagon now. Every time I talk to clients about this, I hear "we have no place for a bin, we have to pay for it ourselves and we can't afford it." So it is sort of I want everyone else to save Mother Earth, just not me. Every publication is filled with 'green' articles. And it is going to take time to get there...however recycling is the easiest and fastest way to start. And why should you? If I can't convince you that the environment is desperate for this change, maybe I can hit you in the wallet. When surveyed, most apartment renters prefer to lease from a community that recycles...especially the Gen Y and X age group. It appears that it isn't only lack of space for recycling bins, or lack of funds that are issues. The real truth is that we need more education, and better communication. I just read an article about a state that is considering pulling the recycling program from multifamily...after giving it a try, the complaints from owners about cost, the uneducated residents who put garbage in the recycling bin and contaminate the entire bin, the lack of communication between the city managemnet in charge of recycling and the owners, the recycling truck drivers who get lazy and take it to the dump anyway..gees, what IS it going to take? How much do we want our grandchildren to suffer because the planet can't sustain them. Pitch in, get serious...let's make this happen.
Hits: 1230
Comments (4)
I am on board with both of you. I have mentioned this several times to co-workers and noone seems willing to manage the system. What I would like to see (and would help develop) is a multifamily recycling program, from how to work with vendors, education materials for both management teams as well as residents and a commitment from companies to further the initative.
I attended the NMHC Conference last week and at the hotel were trash cans labled for recycling with "Mixed Paper Recycling" and another labled for plastic, metal and glass. We could do something similar at the mail bins. Here in Texas there are also the bins that are placed at schools to encourge recycling that I believe benefits the schools. Why could our communities not take on one of these bins to benefit their local school?
I am willing to work with someone on this if there are any volunteers. My email address is bryan.head@westcorpmg.com
I attended the NMHC Conference last week and at the hotel were trash cans labled for recycling with "Mixed Paper Recycling" and another labled for plastic, metal and glass. We could do something similar at the mail bins. Here in Texas there are also the bins that are placed at schools to encourge recycling that I believe benefits the schools. Why could our communities not take on one of these bins to benefit their local school?
I am willing to work with someone on this if there are any volunteers. My email address is bryan.head@westcorpmg.com
-
- +0
-
-
We put together a packet for our members here at the SDCAA very much like what you are asking for. We wanted to help our members navigate establishing a recycling program for some of the very same reasons you mention above.
We actually have two packets on our web site. One for the City of San Diego, which has a multi-year implementation period, and one for the County, which applies to most of our other cities. Both discuss the "how to" from education to tips on negotiating with your hauler.
Our site is under construction today, but try back later at http://www.sdcaa.com/content/view/38/89/ under Mandatory Recycling. You can also drop me an email and I will send it to you. I know it may not be perfect for your area but it's a good start.
Alan Pentico, Dir. of Public Affairs, SDCAA
apentico@sdcaa.com
We actually have two packets on our web site. One for the City of San Diego, which has a multi-year implementation period, and one for the County, which applies to most of our other cities. Both discuss the "how to" from education to tips on negotiating with your hauler.
Our site is under construction today, but try back later at http://www.sdcaa.com/content/view/38/89/ under Mandatory Recycling. You can also drop me an email and I will send it to you. I know it may not be perfect for your area but it's a good start.
Alan Pentico, Dir. of Public Affairs, SDCAA
apentico@sdcaa.com
-
- +0
-
-
Great blog Anne! I agree. Going GREEN is not a fad or a trend. It is here to stay.
The multi-family industry has started off in the right direction by building LEED certified communities, incorporating green practices at individual communities, and educating residents. However, recycling has been and remains to be the easiest way for each of us to do our part.
The NAA is hosting a Green Conference in Phoenix, AZ on April 28th and 29th. This will be a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the benefits of recycling and other green initiatives.
Please visit http://www.naahq.org/events/gr...fault.aspx to learn more about the Green Conference.
Jonathan Hildreth, CAS
Waste Management Concierge
jhildreth@wamacon.com
The multi-family industry has started off in the right direction by building LEED certified communities, incorporating green practices at individual communities, and educating residents. However, recycling has been and remains to be the easiest way for each of us to do our part.
The NAA is hosting a Green Conference in Phoenix, AZ on April 28th and 29th. This will be a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the benefits of recycling and other green initiatives.
Please visit http://www.naahq.org/events/gr...fault.aspx to learn more about the Green Conference.
Jonathan Hildreth, CAS
Waste Management Concierge
jhildreth@wamacon.com
-
- +0
-
-
Subscribe to this comment's feed
What Do You Think?
At the very least, we should be able to add a recycling container in the mail room! I am not an eco-nut by any means, but it really does make me sick to see the instant mailbox-to-trashcan process in the mailrooms. Not that I blame the residents - who wants 90% of the junk that comes our way! But we have a very easy opportunity to make a very big difference in this respect!