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Clackamas County Newsletter for Multifamily Property Managers
Fall/Winter 2018
Your quarterly guide to successful recycling & waste reduction
from Clackamas County's Sustainability & Solid Waste Program
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Falling into Winter...
The leaves are falling, and before we know it, the holiday season will be in full swing. This edition hopes to provide you and your residents with tools to help you plan ahead for the holidays, and minimize waste during the holidays.
As always, feel free to copy this content to use in your own community newsletters. Or if you want specific content not found here, contact us; we can help!
Having a holiday party? We'd be happy to come share resources with residents!
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Eco-Friendly Tips to Consider This Holiday Season
The holidays tend to generate additional waste. Plan ahead and try to curtail waste, and save money, too!
Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas - Give experiences instead of stuff: movies, concerts, museums, etc.
- Purchase gifts from thrift stores (and donate gently-used items, as well)
- Donate to a loved one's favorite charity
- Send gift cards to save on packaging and shipping
- Share your summer bounty with gifts of jams and canned fruit
- Get a favorite toy, tool, or top repaired at a repair shop or repair fair near you
Earth- and Wallet-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas - Reuse gift boxes, bags, wrapping paper, bows and ribbons
- Make the wrapping part of the gift, like colorful dish towels
- Make your own gift wrap from grocery bags or old calendars
Does it belong in the garbage or recycle bin? (video below) Wrapping paper and tissue paper: As long as it doesn't have metallic foil or glitter, it can go in your recycle bin. It can also be reused for future gift wrapping. Gift bags, bows, and ribbons: If still in good condition, these can easily be reused for future gift wrapping. Otherwise, they belong in the trash. Bubble wrap and air pillows: If you are shipping packages, these come in handy; some shipping stores may even want them. Or remove any tape or sticker labels, pop them, and return them to the grocery store with plastic grocery bags. At home, they belong in the trash. Styrofoam™: Styrofoam cannot be recycled in your recycling bin. There is one local drop-off location that is recycling it: Agilyx (7904 SW Hunziker St., Tigard, OR). Otherwise, it belongs in the trash. Other items: Not sure if your item can be recycled or don't know how to dispose of it properly? Use Metro's Find a Recycler Tool or call 503.234.3000 for options near you.
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Christmas Tree Recycling
Christmas tree disposal can cause many problems at multifamily communities following the holidays. To prevent future hassles, start planning today!
- Contact your collector to set up a tree recycling collection plan
- Reach out to local nonprofits who may be recycling trees as a fundraiser
Make sure your residents know: - How to prep their tree for recycling
- Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, tree stand, etc.
- Cut in half (if required by recycler)
- Where to place their tree for recycling (designate an area ahead of time that works for your community and the recycler)
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Plan Ahead, Request Extra Pick Ups
Don't let the holidays take over your garbage/recycling enclosures. If past holiday seasons have resulted in overflowing containers, safety concerns, and inaccesible bins, start planning now and save your residents, staff, and collector the hassle.
Options could include:
- Contact your collector in advance to temporarily increase your service. While this comes at a cost, it will save staff time and sanity from having to clean up a mess that will likely still result in overage charges.
- Remind residents to break down cardboard boxes and to only recycle those items that are accepted (refer to Recycle Guide).
- Remind residents that e-cycle items (TVs, computers, monitors, etc.) cannot be discarded in the garbage and need to be taken to an Oregon e-cycler (e.g. Goodwill).
- Have a plan for Christmas trees, and inform residents.
If you would like technical assistance, free resources, or outreach and education for your residents ahead of the holidays, contact us now, and we can even attend your holiday event!
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Inclement Weather
As we enter the season with the possibility of snow and ice, we want to remind customers of the potential for postponed collections. Collection - Garbage and recycling companies may postpone collections when weather conditions make driving hazardous. In situations where garbage, recycling, and yard debris collections are all postponed to the subsequent week(s), priority will be given to the collection of garbage. Notification - Some collectors have the ability to notify customers of delays by automated phone calls. Others will update their voicemail and website at least daily, notifying customers of postponed collections. Billing - Postponed collections are not considered missed collection, because the service is provided after the hazardous conditions have passed. Credits are not available for postponed collections due to inclement weather.
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Questions? Have a suggestion? Download our Recycling Guide
Clackamas County Sustainability & Solid Waste Program
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