Q: Why a Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance?
A: In 1989, the State of California passed the California Integrated Waste Management Act (AB 939) which required jurisdictions to divert at least 50 percent of their solid waste (also known as garbage) from California landfills by 2000. The region that is monitored by Sacramento Regional Solid Waste Authority (SWA) currently meets this diversion mandate. In order to maintain and increase the 50 percent diversion rate, the SWA adopted and implemented a Business Recycling Ordinance requiring businesses to recycle in 2007.
On June 17, 2009, the Business Recycling Ordinance was amended to incorporate multi-family recycling requirements for multi-family dwellings such as apartments, condominiums, senior care facilities, etc. Single family dwelling residents have been active participants in a residential recycling program for over 15 years. Residents of multi-family dwellings now have the opportunity to actively participate in helping the SWA region meet recycling goals and protect valuable resources while significantly reducing the amount of solid waste being sent to landfills.
Q: Under the ordinance, who is required to recycle?
A: All multi-family dwelling units located in the unincorporated areas of Sacramento County and in the City of Sacramento with 5 or more units and who subscribe to ten (10) cubic yards of garbage collections service weekly or more must recycle.
Q: What is a multi-family dwelling unit?
A: Multi-family dwelling units include:
- Apartments
- Condominiums
- Mobile Home Parks
- Senior Housing/Care Facilities
Q: When did the Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance become effective?
A: It was adopted by the SWA Board on May 18, 2009 and became effective on June 17, 2009.
Q: Who is responsible for recycling and what else is required?
A: Whoever contracts for garbage collection, such as owners, or managers is responsible for providing recycling services for their tenants. The manager, owner or responsible individual must also arrange for the collection of these recyclables by using a Franchised Hauler, an Authorized Recycler or self-hauling the recyclables to a recycling facility.
Tenants are to be notified, instructed, and educated, in writing, on what materials are recyclable and where to place them for collection.
Q: What materials are required to be recycled?
A: Apartments or multi-family dwellings are required to recycle the following materials:
- Aluminum cans and beverage containers (empty)
- Aerosol, steel, bi-metal and tin cans (empty)
- Metals such as small kitchenware
- Glass bottles, jars and beverage containers (all colors, clean and empty)
- Plastic containers numbered 1-7, including water bottles (clean and empty)
- Plastic toys numbered 1-7. (All batteries, motors and fluids must be removed and properly recycled or disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local regulations prior to placing toys in the recycling containers)
- Paper (clean and dry) whole or shredded*, including
- Advertising or junk mail
- Boxes (small)
- Cardboard
- Cartons, paper (milk/juice, egg)
- Catalogs
- Colored ledger paper
- File Folders
- Magazines
- Newspaper
- Phone books
- Printer/copier paper
*Shredded paper must be placed inside a plastic bag and tied shut.
Q: What if my tenants do not want to participate in the program?
A: Most tenants of multi-family dwellings support and welcome recycling programs. Some residents may be concerned that keeping an additional container for recycling will take up space in their homes. You can help alleviate concerns and insure program success by suggesting suitable spaces in their apartments to store both garbage and recycling containers. Emphasize some of the program's benefits listed below:
- Recycling protects the environment by keeping our community clean and attractive
- Recycling creates more jobs than disposal
- Recycling saves money by reducing disposal costs
- Recycling saves valuable landfill spaces
Q: Will the Ordinance increase my costs?
A: Implementation and administration of this ordinance is being funded through the existing SWA commercial hauler franchise fees. You will not be billed by the SWA or any other government agency.
Some apartments or multi-family dwelling units may actually save money on their garbage bills when they recycle, because there will be less garbage in the garbage bin. Once you begin recycling, check with your service provider to see if you can reduce the size of your garbage dumpster or downsize your garbage collection services to reduce costs.
Apartments and multi-family dwellings units have many service options to choose from to meet their recycling needs and are encouraged to contact a variety of service providers for the best price.
Q: What else can we recycle?
A: Visit www.sacramentoswa.com, www.sacgreenteam.com or www.cityofsacramento.org/utilities/ for other recycling ideas and disposal opportunities in Sacramento County. Check with your recycling service and search the Business Yellow Pages for private vendors who recycle toner cartridges, wood pallets, furniture, computers, fluorescent lamps, or other materials you may generate.
Q: What if I am a tenant in an apartment or multi-family dwelling that is not providing a recycling service?
A: Owners or managers, whoever contracts for weekly garbage collection, are responsible for having a recycling program. If you find that your apartment or multi-family dwelling manager and/or residential property owner is not recycling, please call the Environmental Management Department at 916-875-8550 or visit www.sacramentoswa.com to request literature or file a complaint.
Q: How is the Multi-family Recycling Ordinance being implemented?
A: The Ordinance is being implemented by the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department (EMD) on behalf of the SWA in the following phases:
- Phase 1: Outreach and inspection
- Phase 2: Site inspections
- Phase 3: Enforcement
Q: Where can I get more information about Multi-family Recycling?
A: Download a copy of the Business and Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance or the Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance Brochure at www.sacramentoswa.com
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