In Australia, recycling is an important component of every household’s waste management system. But did you know that apartments have lower recycling rates than houses? There are a number of different factors that create this dilemma. We’ll take a look at each of these in the article below, as well as how they can be addressed.
After all, it’s essential that every apartment complex and block of units is doing its part to create a sustainable waste management system.
At Sydney City Rubbish, we remove all kinds of rubbish from both apartment complexes and households around Sydney. We know full well the challenges that high-rise living spaces face when it comes to recycling a range of materials, not just paper, glass, and plastic products. Therefore, we’ll deliver some of our insights in the article below.
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The main reasons why apartments have lower recycling rates
Reduced recycling rates occur in Sydney apartments for a range of reasons. Some are understandable and difficult to fix, while others can be addressed quickly and with minimal effort. We’ll have a closer look below.
Limited space
One of the most common reasons for lower recycling rates in strata complexes is limited space. Most apartment buildings only have limited storage space for recycling bins and no space for larger waste items. This means it’s inconvenient for residents to store and separate recyclable waste. In the end, a lot of that waste simply ends up in general waste bins and then in landfills.
Lack of education on waste management
Many apartment residents may not be as educated or aware of recycling practices as homeowners. In households, the residents usually understand their obligations regarding recycling, and what types of waste need to go where. But in apartments, this usually isn’t the case. People often just don’t care as much, also. Therefore, recycling rates fall behind.
A lack of recycling infrastructure
Infrastructure is important for an efficient recycling system. Unfortunately, apartment buildings sometimes lack the necessary recycling areas, bins, and clear signage. Without these essential elements, tenants may not know where to dispose of recyclables. If someone isn’t able to work out where to put their recyclables, they are likely to give up pretty quickly. This then results in waste simply ending up in the general bin, yet again.
Inconsistent regulations
Many apartment buildings struggle with a lack of communication about rules and regulations. When it comes to waste management, regulations do need to be clear. Recycling policies can vary greatly between apartment complexes and even between local council areas. If the policies and requirements aren’t clear to residents, there will inevitably be problems with the recycling efforts of your complex.
Mixed-use developments
A mixed-use development is a building that might contain apartments, as well as businesses. This often results in a bigger mix of the types of recyclable materials that are found in the building. These kinds of environments can lead to confusion about recycling, as commercial tenants may not follow the same recycling rules as residents. This confusion can discourage apartment residents from recycling and results in headaches for all parties involved.
High tenant turnover
Many apartment buildings or strata complexes do experience a high turnover rate of tenants. This comes with a number of problems, including issues with recycling. New tenants may take some time to understand the systems and policies in place, and therefore, may accidentally throw waste into general waste bins instead of recycling bins.
Poor building management
It’s up to property and building managers to provide the infrastructure and information around recycling. If there is no clear instruction for tenants, they won’t exactly go out of their way to find accurate information. As a result, there’s a good chance your recycling systems will not function as intended. Instead, a building manager needs to be on the ball at all times, providing clear and up-to-date information for tenants. They also need to ensure that the infrastructure is there.
How to improve recycling in an apartment building or strata complex
So, we’re now well aware of the problems, and why they may well be occurring. But how exactly do you improve recycling in an apartment building?
Educate and remind tenants
If your tenants don’t how to recycle, they won’t go out of their way to find out the best practices and processes. That’s exactly why education and delivering clear information are key. Signage is a must in every bin room, explaining clearly and concisely what materials need to be recycled and where they need to go. On top of that, group discussions and community notices can help to ensure your tenants understand how to recycle.
Improve recycling infrastructure
It’s not exactly going to be possible to make your bin room larger. But you could repurpose additional spaces to help hold rubbish bins or recycling infrastructure. A user-friendly area will help ensure your tenants are much more likely to recycle their waste instead of simply throwing it in the general waste bin.
Work with an expert strata rubbish removal company
Expert strata rubbish removal services are an enormous help to every building or property manager. At Sydney City Rubbish, we’re the best in the business when it comes to removing junk from apartment buildings and other strata complexes. We can deal with an enormous range of rubbish, and we’ll ensure that everything that can be recycled, is recycled.
Get in touch with Sydney City Rubbish today
Looking for rubbish removal for your apartment block? We can deal with an enormous range of apartment waste and rubbish, including large recyclables, old furniture, and appliances. Need a hand? Get in touch with us today.
We look forward to hearing from you.
