I would like to set up a recycling program?
February 25th, 2010 | 
Author: I live in a condo complex with 58 units and we currently have high trash removal costs. I believe that we can reduce those costs by implementing a recyling program. I would appreciate some insight into getting a program up and running.
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1. Have a huge Donation box set up ..just for SODA CANS..whatever can be exchanged for money.{huge plastic bag in box}
2. Churches ask for the PLASTIC BAGS,Have a huge box for those. Stores have requests for those bags to be brought back to the store.
3. ITEMS that are good enough to be in a garage sale or taken to a thrift store….should be cleaned up and tagged,and saved to use for donations-Or to help somebody {with food,rent}in your complex or elsewhere.
Some stores have recycle bins in their parking lots.,for glass etc.
4. Get some neat FLIER’S made up /I use my Publishers Pro…
and distribute them around your building.
5. ASK the Landlord first…explain the plan. Get it all down in black and white.
This is a great way to encourage the entire complex to pull together. What a great way to make friends and create a
community effort.
Good luck my friend.
I agree with all the suggestions the previous contributor suggested. But I do have a hint. I once lived in a small community in Canada where we have been recycling all paper products, box-board, card-board, all cans, glass, plastics and plastic bags, even wax covered cardboard like ice cream containers. And all picked up curb-side with different colored containers. This service was not free though, all home owners had an extra fee added to their property taxes in order for this to be done, whether you recycled or not. As well as the trash collection changed. It has always been added into the property taxes too. But a limit was put on the homeowner. Only 2 large trash bags per week, and if you had additional bags you had to buy a tag in advance to stick to the bag or it would be left behind. Like it or not, this did encourage more home owners to recycle.Many condo’s and apartment buildings were left out of this because the owners weren’t prepared to do the work. They tried but found the tennants weren’t co-operative, mixing items, throwing in garbage, making a mess etc. etc. Who ever takes over this responsibility will have to contend with this. Unfortunately not everyone is as environmentally conscience as you are. I would suggest a group of people or committee to share responsibility. I also worked at a newsprint factory that was 100% recycled. We wanted to carry this over to eliminate the volume of trash, as we had tons of office paper, cans, plastic bottles etc. we found it very difficult to find any one who wanted the stuff. And it cost lots of $$ and man hours and gas money just trying to find out who would want it. For example: If someone wanted say plastic bottles we would have to deliver them 4 hours away! And it was impossible to find any company that would pay for them. We all made a great effort for about 4 years before eventually scrapping the whole plan. I don’t want to discourage you by no means. I just want you to be prepared and aware of some of the road blocks you may encounter. I’m sure it can work with lots of preplanning and hard work. Good luck!