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The multifamily conundrum: City continues effort to increase overall recycling rate
By Bill Conrad, bconrad@starlocalnews.com, @Bill_PlanoStar on Twitter
Recycling programs are common throughout Plano but are still absent from the majority of the multifamily developments in the city.
Of the 118 complexes in the city, only 43 have recycling programs in place for their residents. With about 30 percent of the city's 270,000 residents living in multifamily units, a large portion of the population does not have easy access to recycling bins, city officials say.
"We have reached a plateau in regard to our recycling rate in single-family homes," said Melinda Haggerty, a spokeswoman for the city's Sustainability and Environmental Services Department. "[Multifamily recycling] is now a priority, as we look to break through this bubble and continue moving toward a more efficient community that produces less recyclable waste by diverting those recyclables to the proper channels."
Complexes that offer programs recycle an average of 16 percent of their total waste and save about $1,600 a year, according to statistics provided by the city.
Christopher Day, the city's commercial recycling supervisor, said more than 1,750 additional tons of waste could be kept out of area landfills if the remaining 75 complexes offered recycling programs.
"Potentially, there's an additional $120,000 in accumulative annual savings which would benefit the remaining multifamily communities," Day said in an email. "But this depends on citywide participation in the form of an active recycling program at every property."
One of the most successful multifamily recycling programs in the city is offered at The Villas at Chase Oaks. The three-year-old program saves the complex money and has proven popular among residents, said property manager Tina Paysinger.
"There are a lot of people that want to recycle, but they don't want to have to load it in their vehicle and take the materials to another location," she said. "We have reduced our waste tremendously and our recycling bins are absolutely filled."
In her more than 30 years of managing properties, Paysinger said she has heard plenty of excuses about why property owners don't offer recycling programs. Many, she said, cite the lack of available space or the lack of demand among residents. Still, Paysinger said she believes more property owners will jump on board if the message is presented properly.
"A lot of times, property managers think they can't do anything," Paysinger said. "I have shown them my numbers. My waste costs less now because it is much cheaper to have a recycle container picked up than a standard waste container. ... If you can convince them they will save money, they will do it."
Since the recycling program started at Chase Oaks, Paysinger said the number of waste dumpsters at the complex has decreased, and the dumpsters still on site have been reduced in size. The program pays for itself, saving the complex about $4,750 a year.
The decision to offer recycling has also led to some unexpected changes in the buying habits of residents and employees, Paysinger said.
"Instead of purchasing a Styrofoam cup, people realize they can get a paper cup that can be recycled," she said. "Our everyday habits have changed. We used to buy at least two huge cases of paper towels a month, but now we use cotton towels that we rewash. If you start doing the math on that over a year, it is a tremendous amount of savings."
The various environmental initiatives implemented at Chase Oaks, which include using only recycled mulch in the landscaping and purchasing carpet made only from recycled materials, were recently honored by the city. Earlier this year, Paysinger and her staff were awarded the 2012 Environmental Star of Excellence in the multifamily category.
Paysinger said she will continue to extol the virtues of recycling to others in the apartment industry, and believes with more education, the recycling rate in multifamily communities will rise.
"The most important thing is taking that first step, even if it is a baby step," she said. "If a complex doesn't offer recycling containers for residents, they should at least put one at the mail kiosk. If you need motivation, drive yourself to a landfill and watch the mountains of waste grow as our population continues to grow."
Of the 118 complexes in the city, only 43 have recycling programs in place for their residents. With about 30 percent of the city's 270,000 residents living in multifamily units, a large portion of the population does not have easy access to recycling bins, city officials say.
"We have reached a plateau in regard to our recycling rate in single-family homes," said Melinda Haggerty, a spokeswoman for the city's Sustainability and Environmental Services Department. "[Multifamily recycling] is now a priority, as we look to break through this bubble and continue moving toward a more efficient community that produces less recyclable waste by diverting those recyclables to the proper channels."
Complexes that offer programs recycle an average of 16 percent of their total waste and save about $1,600 a year, according to statistics provided by the city.
Christopher Day, the city's commercial recycling supervisor, said more than 1,750 additional tons of waste could be kept out of area landfills if the remaining 75 complexes offered recycling programs.
"Potentially, there's an additional $120,000 in accumulative annual savings which would benefit the remaining multifamily communities," Day said in an email. "But this depends on citywide participation in the form of an active recycling program at every property."
One of the most successful multifamily recycling programs in the city is offered at The Villas at Chase Oaks. The three-year-old program saves the complex money and has proven popular among residents, said property manager Tina Paysinger.
"There are a lot of people that want to recycle, but they don't want to have to load it in their vehicle and take the materials to another location," she said. "We have reduced our waste tremendously and our recycling bins are absolutely filled."
In her more than 30 years of managing properties, Paysinger said she has heard plenty of excuses about why property owners don't offer recycling programs. Many, she said, cite the lack of available space or the lack of demand among residents. Still, Paysinger said she believes more property owners will jump on board if the message is presented properly.
"A lot of times, property managers think they can't do anything," Paysinger said. "I have shown them my numbers. My waste costs less now because it is much cheaper to have a recycle container picked up than a standard waste container. ... If you can convince them they will save money, they will do it."
Since the recycling program started at Chase Oaks, Paysinger said the number of waste dumpsters at the complex has decreased, and the dumpsters still on site have been reduced in size. The program pays for itself, saving the complex about $4,750 a year.
The decision to offer recycling has also led to some unexpected changes in the buying habits of residents and employees, Paysinger said.
"Instead of purchasing a Styrofoam cup, people realize they can get a paper cup that can be recycled," she said. "Our everyday habits have changed. We used to buy at least two huge cases of paper towels a month, but now we use cotton towels that we rewash. If you start doing the math on that over a year, it is a tremendous amount of savings."
The various environmental initiatives implemented at Chase Oaks, which include using only recycled mulch in the landscaping and purchasing carpet made only from recycled materials, were recently honored by the city. Earlier this year, Paysinger and her staff were awarded the 2012 Environmental Star of Excellence in the multifamily category.
Paysinger said she will continue to extol the virtues of recycling to others in the apartment industry, and believes with more education, the recycling rate in multifamily communities will rise.
"The most important thing is taking that first step, even if it is a baby step," she said. "If a complex doesn't offer recycling containers for residents, they should at least put one at the mail kiosk. If you need motivation, drive yourself to a landfill and watch the mountains of waste grow as our population continues to grow."
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