Tips for building owners, superintendents, property managers, and interested residents to promote the culture of recycling and composting in their respective residential buildings.

1. How to Engage
Residents in Recycling
and Organics
Collection in Your NYC
Multifamily Building
Presented to Douglas Elliman
October 10, 2019

2. Hello
Jacquie Ottman
Chair, Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board
Recycling Instructor, Local 32BJ
Founding Chair, Residential Recycling and Reuse Committee
- Authors of Two Guides for Multifamily Recycling in NYC
http://www.manhattanswab.org/residential-recycling-reuse-guides

3. Manhattan SWAB
Citizens Advisory Board founded in 1989
32 Members, appointed by Manhattan Borough President’s Office
Advise on strategies for achieving zero waste
Areas of Impact: Policy, Grantmaking, Outreach and Education
YOU are welcome to monthly meeting and committees
Learn more: ManhattanSWAB.org

4. Residential Recycling Committee
MISSION:
Move the needle on NYC’s
recycling rate by removing the
barriers to recycling
participation with multifamily
buildings

5. Did You Know?
• Multifamily buildings recycle
at half the rate of single family
homes nationally.
• One half of NYC waste
stream is residential.
• Half of NYC’s 3.4 MM
housing units are multifamily;
highest proportion in
Manhattan.

6. Why It It So Challenging to Get Residents of
NYC’s Multifamily Buildings to Recycle?
● Anonymity
● Lack of Personal Responsibility
(rentals, Air BnB)
● Diversity: Languages, Demographics,
● Lack of Direct Financial Incentives
● Lack of Support from Management
● Fear of Rats! (Organics)

7. Resident Engagement: The Missing Piece

8. Recycling Champions!
Volunteer Recycling
Champion,
Schwab House

9. Enter: The MSWAB Guides
http://www.manhattanswab.org/residential-recycling-reuse-guides

10. The MSWAB Recycling Guides:
Press Coverage

11. Strategies, Tools and Inspiration

12. Make it Easy
Convenient drop off; on
floors in particular
Clear signage (where
and how)
Recycling collection at Stuytown

13. Make it Easy
Take advantage of 3
DSNY Curbside Collection
Programs for 10+ Unit
Buildings

14. Educate
WHY we are doing this
WHY it’s important

15. Help with the Pre-sort
Tip: Ask DSNY if you are eligible for free bins

16. Make it Part of Building Culture
Branding /
Messages

17. Make it Part of Building Culture
DSNY Signs
Sign a DSNY “Zero
Waste” pledge
Lease rider
https://materials.bwprronline.org/home/150

18. Make it Social
Social event
Light-hearted
graphics

19. Enforce Gently!
Don’t scold!
Oops!
Fine after 3rd
offense

20. Celebrate Success

21. Measure Results and Refine
Demonstrate progress

22. Pull Together a Team
Owner
Property Manager
Super
Resident “Recycling
Champions”
Volunteer Recycling Champion,
Schwab House

23. Make the Case
It’s the law!
Right thing to do
Save money
Staff morale
Get out ahead of
legislative, social trends
Cut down on rats!

24. https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/our-work/composting/buildin
g-superintendent-training-program
Get Free Training from 32BJ & DSNY

25. Download the Guides for FREE at
ManhattanSWAB.org
http://www.ManhattanSWAB.org/recycling-reuse-guides
ManhattanSWAB1@gmail.com

26. QUESTIONS