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Clackamas County Sustainability Newsletter for Multifamily Property Managers
Winter/Spring 2023
Your quarterly guide to successful recycling & waste reduction
from Clackamas County's Sustainability & Solid Waste Program
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In this edition:
- Annual Recycling Reminder
- Become a Master Recycler
- Right-Sizing Your Garbage & Recycling Service
- Disposing of Large, Unwanted Household Items
- Drug Take-Back
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Annual Recycling Reminder
By now, you should have received our annual multifamily letter in the mail reminding you of the free resources and services we offer to help you meet Oregon's Opportunity to Recycle Act requirements (providing recycling to your residents, as well as recycling education at least once a year). We have recycle guides, magnets, signage, and more. Complete our online multifamily order form today to request free resources.
In this edition, we will provide some general reminders, hints, and tips to help facilitate a greener, more manageable garbage and recycling set-up.
Do you manage communities outside of Clackamas County? See our list of regional multifamily contacts throughout the tri-county area who are ready to help with your waste prevention, reuse, and recycling efforts.
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Become a Master Recycler
Multifamily residents, property managers, and/or staff interested in recycling? Do you want to improve the garbage/recycling system in your community? Consider becoming a master recycler!
The Master Recycler program is accepting applications for the upcoming spring course in Clackamas County. Participants learn about recycling, reuse, waste reduction, and so much more. Join 29 other recycling enthusiasts for seven weeks, tour local recycling centers and compost facilities to see first-hand how these local systems work, then share your newfound knowledge with your community.
Date: 7 Wednesdays (April 12 - May 24) 6-9pm; 2 Saturdays (April 22 & May 13) 8a-2p; MUST COMMIT TO ALL DATES
Not able to commit to these dates/times? Consider OSU Extension's Recycling 101 course. Learn similar content at your own pace online. Get started with the free intro to recycling course to get a broad overview of recycling and what you can expect from the Recycling 101 Certificate.
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Right-Sizing Your Garbage & Recycling Service
Ever wonder if you have too much or too little trash and recycling service? Right-sizing your service can ensure you have adequate bin space for residents to properly dispose of BOTH trash and recycling while also not over-paying for service you don't need.
Assess your service level today using two of our convenient tools:
Multifamily Service Calculator: Enter the number units and the number of all bins and weekly pickups. Then click "Do I have enough service?" (black button), and it will tell you if you do/don't, and also list the minimum and recommended service levels for a community of your size. The "right-size" for each community is unique to that community, but this calculator serves as a guide. (Personally, I find the "right-size" for most communities is somewhere between the minimum and recommended levels.)
Waste Reduction & Recycling Rating Tool: Take a couple of minutes to self-score your community. This tool outlines the various aspects of a multifamily garbage and recycling set-up, and can help identify opportunities to improve your community's system. Simply review the categories, select 0/2/4 for each of the drop-downs, then click "Check my grade" (red button), and your score will be auto-generated. For communities with a single/shared garbage bill, share your self-score with us for a $100 credit on a future garbage bill.
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Disposing of Large, Unwanted Household Items
Disposing of large household items, like sofas and tables can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
While we often think of the three R's (reduce, reuse, recycle) with everyday items like paper and water bottles, we don't necessarily think of it when it comes to large household items - but we should! Reducing our waste helps the environment and can also help our wallets! Just because we have outgrown an item doesn't mean the item doesn't still have life to give another household. Before discarding a good-condition item, consider gifting, donating, or selling the item to someone who can use it. Find reuse and donation suggestions on our webpage.
Disposal
Only good-condition items should be donated. Items that have reached the end of their useful life need to be disposed of properly.
For those who are able to transport their large, unwanted household items, they can be taken to a transfer station and disposed of for a fee.
Garbage and recycling companies will also pick up and dispose of large items for a fee. Some companies allow multifamily residents to call, schedule, and pay for a pickup directly; others require coordination with the property manager.
We always recommend property managers help residents dispose of large, unwanted household items to avoid unwanted accumulation in trash and recycling enclosures that may prevent residents (and collection companies) from accessing the bins and/or create unsightly environments.
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Drug Take-Back
It is important to properly dispose of out-dated or otherwise unwanted medications to keep our children, waterways, and environment safe. Thanks to recent legislation, there are now convenient locations to securely dispose of unwanted medications.
For more information, including drop-off locations, visit medtakebackoregon.org or call (844) 4-TAKE-BACK (844.482.5322).
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Questions? Have a suggestion?
Download our Recycle Guide
Clackamas County Sustainability & Solid Waste
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