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Multifamily Services

Do you own or manage apartments, condos or other housing where multiple families share garbage and recycling services? Waste Connections has the resources and know-how to save you time, money, and a lot of hassle. Maintaining your property’s recycling and garbage systems, as well as educating residents on how to properly utilize them, is important for providing your tenants with a clean and green living environment.

Green Apartment Living

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Available Tools and Assistance

A new version of the multifamily recycling reusable tote bag is coming in 2026!

Waste Connections of Washington has FREE educational items for you and your residents! Submit a form at the link below.

Waste Connections offers free tools and assistance to property managers and maintenance professionals. We can offer suggestions for container sizes, pickup frequency, and amount of capacity per unit. We can speak to your tenants or staff about waste issues and what and how to recycle right. We also offer FREE guides, resident recycling bags, signs and decals.

Contact us at customerservice2010@wcnx.org for help!

Sign up for the Green Apartment Living Newsletter for announcements and helpful tips and tricks.

Best Management Practices

When it comes to multifamily garbage and recycling, we have learned that there are four C’s that lead to better outcomes.

Convenience

  • Is the garbage and recycling accessible to all residents? Ideally these services would be within 150 feet of each building.
  • Choose well-lit and centrally-located collection areas for garbage and recycling containers.

Clarity

  • Residents need to know what is accepted in each container. Clear signage helps with this task. Waste Connections offers free signs and decals.
  • Waste areas should be well-lit. Outdoor depots that are far away from lighting may be dark in the mornings or evenings. Indoor lighting that is too dim can be a barrier for residents.

Colocation

  • Garbage, mixed recycling, and glass recycling are most effective when located together. Ensure recycling is located as conveniently as garbage.
  • Side-by-side containers make it simple and easy. Use clear signage with pictures showing which items go where.

Capacity

  • You can minimize overflows by adding containers or pickups.
  • Recycling carts and containers can be adjusted to fit your needs at no extra cost. We suggest one recycle cart for every four units, though more may be suggested if you have the space and residents are successfully recycling. We recommend a capacity of 20-48 gallons of recycling per unit.
    •  The Container Volume Calculator document will assist you in determining the required volumes for garbage, recycling, and glass containers specific to your apartment complex.
  • Do you find that residents are placing bulky items like furniture near your dumpsters? Encourage your residents to come to you before disposing these items. Learn more about bulky item pickups and rates.
A green cardboard cage that says, "No garbage, recycle items only." Behind it are a row of recycle carts.
Batteries can spark or explode. Keep them out of garbage and recycling carts.

Battery disposal

Did you know that the majority of the fires at the transfer stations in Clark County are started because of batteries? You never want to toss batteries in the trash or recycling, even dead batteries, because they can start fires. Encourage your residents to bring properly prepared batteries to local battery drop-off sites by following these steps:

  • Tape the ends and place household batteries in a sealed, clear plastic bag
    • Household sizes include alkaline and rechargeable AA, AAA, C, D, button cell, 9 volt, and other similar sized batteries.
  • Coordinate with mail-in battery disposal vendors

Informing Resident Recycle Strategies

Update rental agreements

Integrating garbage and recycling into your rental agreement may improve your recycling system. Utilize the agreement to clearly communicate the expectations of the resident to practice proper disposal methods. Managers are welcome to incorporate any of the material from the Sample Lease Agreement. Clark County does not assume liability for content borrowed from this document.

Resident Recycle Talks & Recycling 101

Invite a Recycling Educator to present at your complex during a meeting or special event by contacting recyclehelp@wcnx.org. Furthermore, encourage residents to attend free Recycling101 classes. Classes are hosted regularly by the city of Vancouver and Waste Connections. A schedule including dates, times, and locations can be found on the city of Vancouver’s website

Provide a move-in tour

Before move-in, walk residents to the areas where they should bring garbage and recyclables. Ensure that residents know where their recycling/garbage receptacles are located by including a site map with all enclosures marked and include this in their move-in packet.

Provide ongoing education

Remind residents on a regular basis about your community’s recycling program through newsletters, emails, and posted flyers. Consider forming a community green team made up of residents and staff to address common issues and motivate change.