California may have reached it's goal of a 50 percent diversion rate, but many Californians still do not have access to recycling in their homes. Of the 37 million residents of California, 7.1 million live in a multifamily dwelling (apartments), yet only 40 percent have access to a convenient recycling program. Even in single family homes, no more than 70 percent have access to curbside recycling. Apartments or multifamily dwellings account for 8 percent (3.3 million tons) of the disposed waste stream in California, but only 15% of this waste is actually diverted from landfills. Bringing this waste stream in line with the current diversion rates for single family homes would greatly help local governments reach their waste diversion goals, as well as reduce green house gas emissions from California landfills.

More about this Issue:

• Learn more about California's disparity of recycling opportunities
• Learn what CAW is doing to make multifamily recycling a reality

Additional Resources:

• Check out the California Integrated Waste Management Board report: Recycling in Multifamily Dwellings: A Model for Local Government Recycling and Waste Reduction
• See if your county has access to multifamily recycling
• Help CAW bring recycling to all Californians by making a donation