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Recycling Requirements for Apartments & Multifamily

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A woman places a garbage bag into a gray garbage dumpster with a garbage sticker on it.
Owners and managers of multifamily properties, including apartments, condos, townhomes, and any residential community with five or more units, are required to provide adequate garbage and recycling service and regular education about how to recycle.

Do you live in an apartment or multifamily community? Check out the what's recyclable page.

1. Provide adequate service

You must provide enough recycling (paper, plastic and metal), glass recycling, and garbage service so containers do not overflow. (Compost collection is optional.)

Use this calculator to find out the minimum service requirements for your property:

You may need to provide more than the minimum level of service to meet your residents' needs. Contact your garbage company to discuss the right container sizes and pickup schedule so containers do not overflow. 

Find tips for setting up service and choosing a garbage and recycling company.

Calculate if you meet service requirements

2. Label all containers and waste areas 

All containers must have up-to-date, City-provided signs and stickers that clearly identify the items that can, and cannot, go in each bin. The most recent signs were created in 2021: If you have older signs, contact your garbage company or the City to get updated labels.

Order free signs, posters, and stickers

3. Inform new residents

You are responsible for providing new residents with information on how to recycle within 30 days of move-in. We recommend giving printed copies of our Recycling Guide brochure to residents and encouraging them to post the guide on their fridge.

Order free recycling guides

4. Educate residents every year

You’re required to remind residents how to recycle at least once a year.

Order free educational materials


Get free support

We can help you prevent mistakes with waste before they happen at your multifamily property. Contact us for assistance, questions, or help solving problems.

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