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Greening Rockville > Recycling > Apartment and Condo Recycling
 
 

Sustainable Rockville

 
Apartment and Condominium Recycling

   

 Rockville Proposes Mandatory Recycling
for Apartments and Condominiums

In 1994, Montgomery County implemented a mandatory recycling program for apartment and condominium buildings with seven or more units.  Rockville is proposing to adopt an ordinance that will expand the County’s program to properties in the City.  This action furthers the City’s goal to increase the amount of recycling as part of the City’s Sustainability Strategy, approved by the Mayor and Council in October 2007.

If Rockville’s ordinance is adopted, apartment and condominium property managers will be required to arrange for collection and hauling of recyclable materials and report on the amount and destination of those materials.  Specifically, multi-family dwellings with seven or more units must arrange for:

  • Recycling:  All affected apartment and condominium buildings must recycle at least 50 percent of their solid waste, by weight or volume.  Recycled materials include mixed paper, commingled material (cans, bottles, plastics), yard waste, Christmas trees, and scrap metal.  Apartment and condominium property managers may not dispose of recyclable materials with their refuse.
     
  • Collection Containers:  Clearly label recycling collection containers and place them in each location where trash collection containers are located, as well as other convenient locations.  At a minimum, recycling containers must be in reasonable and convenient proximity to dwelling units, offices, clubhouses, vending machines, and recreation facilities.
     
  • Hauling: Recyclable materials can either be self-hauled or picked up by a licensed collection company.
     
  • Recycling Plan: Those apartments and condominiums with 101 or more units must develop and implement a waste reduction and recycling plan.  The County may require apartments and condominiums with fewer units to also prepare and submit a plan.
    • Plans are submitted on forms provided by the County and include information on the dwellings, materials to be recycled, the collection company used, if any, sites where the materials are delivered, a description of the waste reduction activities, and contact information
       
  • Annual Report: Those apartments and condominiums with 101 or more units must file an annual report with the County.  The report must describe:  1) the tonnage of recycled materials, 2) the tonnage of solid wastes disposed, and 3) any revisions to the waste reduction and recycling plan since submission of the previous report.
    • In addition, if the apartment or condominium self-hauls its recycled materials, the report must include proof of the quantity and destination of the hauled materials
    • The report also must describe efforts to educate the residents about recycling
    • Reports must be signed and certified by a representative who is authorized to sign for the apartment or condominium
    • The County may, on a case-by-case basis, require apartments and condominiums with fewer units to also prepare and submit an annual recycling report
       
  • Records: Records, including contracts and invoices for collection and disposition of the recycled materials, must be retained for a five (5) year period.
     
  • Enforcement: The County may enforce through a citation of $100 for the first offense and $150 for subsequent offenses.  Each refuse container holding recycled material is considered a separate offense.

Montgomery County will provide technical assistance, including providing a list of approved haulers and recyclers to property managers.  The County has already prepared “how to recycle” handbooks and videos that are available to property managers.  The County also will conduct periodic workshops on recycling.  Finally, the County will periodically inspect apartment and condominium premises, and issue citations where necessary.  By inviting the County to implement its existing program in the City, Rockville avoids incurring any additional costs of implementing commercial recycling.

The City is accepting public comments on this proposal.  Comments must be received in the Department of Public Works Environmental Management Office by 5:00 p.m., August 29, 2008.

For more information on the Montgomery County recycling program, see the Montgomery County Recycling page or contact the County Recycling Office at 240-777-6400.

For more information on the City’s proposed ordinance, contact the Environmental Management Division at 240-314-8871 or email us at environment@rockvillemd.gov.


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