Got a Dumpster? Demand Recycling from the Dumpster Provider.

December 3, Day 3 - Condos and Apartment Buildings

I have seen on this blog and the facebook page quite a few requests that the City provide curbside recycling pick-up and recycling carts to condos and apartment building dwellers that have dumpster service.  These buildings do not receive curbside collection services, but instead contract with a trash hauling company that provides a dumpster.  All buildings, condos, and businesses with dumpster service should be getting recycling pick-up from the company that provides the dumpster.  In fact, recycling is mandatory for all those with dumpster service because all "trash haulers", the folks that provide the dumpsters, should be providing recycling pick-up and abiding by the state of Massachusetts Mandatory Waste Bans which include recyclables.  Sadly, some waste haulers don't provide the service to their dumpster clients and instead take these materials to the incinerators and landfills--illegally.  The state does random inspections of haulers at waste disposal sites and if they are found to have a large quantity of recyclables they are fined, and sometimes so are the properties from where the trash originated.

My advice to the condo dwellers is to meet with your condo association and explain the rules.  Apartment dwellers should talk to the landlord/building owner/property manager and explain the rules.  Next the representatives of the Condo Association or the Property Manager should meet with the dumpster provider to request that they either provide another dumpster for recycling or provide recycling carts.  You may also have to keep watch that the hauler is really hauling the recyclables separately and not just dumping them with the trash.  If you have problems with the hauler you can either contract with a new hauler or report the hauler to the Department of Environmental Protection.  Click on the links to learn more.

Download the document "Setting Up a Multi-Family or Apartment Building Recycling Program: A Seven-Step Guide" from the link:

www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/recycle/7stepmf.doc

  

Download the Fact Sheet "Property Managers & the Waste Bans:What You Need to Know"

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/sz/wbpropmg.pdf