Jun 22 - Multi-family Residents Turn To Recycling
Residents living in multi-family dwellings in Baldwin Park never had access to recycling, until this past April and it has been a complete success. Nisha Gutierrez of the Pasadena Star News reports that since the city, in conjunction with Waste Management, introduced the program two months ago, 30 tons of recyclables have been collected from three complexes that received under-the-counter containers for recycling inside their units.
BALDWIN PARK - Anthony Herrera said before the city gave his tenants recycling bins, many of them chose not to give their trash a second chance.
However officials said in the two months since Baldwin Park gave one-step recycling bins to more than 250 families living in multifamily complexes, 30 tons of recyclables have already been diverted from the waste stream.
"Out of our 100 units 98 of them are participating and it has worked really good because everybody likes not having to sort the recyclables out," said Herrera, manager of Holiday Mobile Home Lodge. "Back in the days, you had to put all the glass in one bin the cans in another, and it was a hassle. This is much easier, and we have had great response and participation."
Although more than half of CA residents have access to curbside recycling, a majority of residents living in multi-family residents do not, as evidenced by a 15% diversion rate in such complexes, where 24% of the housing units in the state have five or more units.
CAW currently supports AB 2206 (Montañez), which would require the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) and owners and managers of multifamily dwellings to provide information and assistance to residents to achieve higher recycling levels in multifamily dwellings.
What You Can Do:
- Send an email to your legislator and help bring the opportunity to recycling to everyone!
- Support AB 2206 by writing a support letter on behalf of your organization.