RECYCLING HANDBOOK FOR SUPERINTENDANTS AND PROPERTY MANAGERS 1
Contents Introduction Page 3 What to Recycle Page 4 How to Set Up a Recycling Program Page 5 Owner s Responsibilities Page 8 Large Metal Appliances Page 8 Bulky Items Page 9 Household Hazardous Waste Page 9 Troubleshooting Page 10 Introduction 2
The population of Markham is just over 260,000 people, living in approximately 73,000 households. Of that number 22% of Markham residents live in multi-residential facilities including condos, townhouses and apartments. Apartments count for over 12% of the total households in Markham. Markham has new and aggressive goals to divert 70% of waste from landfill. If we re going to reach our waste diversion target, we need to make sure that residents living in multi-residential homes have the necessary tools and information to participate in our diversion programs. This handbook is one step in our program to reach these goals. Every resident and all property managers have a responsibility to ensure that materials designated as recyclable under the Town s waste management program are kept separate from garbage and are properly placed out for collection. Markham s Waste Management Department has developed this guide to help you set up and maintain a successful waste diversion program in your building. Your efforts will help control waste management costs and ensure that you are in compliance with the Town s by-laws which require multi-unit residential buildings to participate in the Town s recycling program. By complying with the Town s by-laws, you will also ensure your compliance with the Ministry of the Environment Legislation concerning recycling. We are here to help. If you have any questions, please contact us: Waste Management Representatives Shayne Hartin...(905) 477-7000 x 3710 Leigh Gibson.(905) 477-7000 x 8240 Contact Centre.(905) 415-7535 Thank you for your assistance and participation. What to Recycle 3
Go ahead! Mix recycling materials together. Markham now has facilities equipped with technology to separate and process mixed recyclables. This means you can combine containers and paper products together. Recycle Plastic food jars, tubs and lids Plastic bottles, containers and jugs Milk and juice cartons Empty paint and aerosol cans Metal food and beverage cans Glass bottles and jars Aluminum foil, trays and pie plates Aluminum cans and containers Drink boxes Household paper: junk mail, writing paper, computer paper, flyers and envelopes Paper gift wrap and cards Paper egg cartons, rolls and bags Boxboard boxes such as cardboard, cereal, tissue and detergent boxes Newspaper, catalogues, magazines, telephone books Corrugated cardboard: flattened and no larger than 2 x2 x1 Do not Recycle Glass: drinking glasses, dishes, cups, crystal, window glass, light bulbs, mirrors, pottery, glass pots and pans, and make-up jars Plastic: Toys, make-up jars, caulking tubes, foam cups and dishes, motor oil jugs, bags, and plastic wrap Metal: coat hangers, pots and batteries Aluminum: chip bags Fibres: tissue, waxed paper, foil gift wrap and waxed cardboard How to Set Up a Recycling Program 4
This section will assist you in setting up or fine tuning your waste management program. NEW RECYCLING PROGRAM Throughout 2006 there will be changes to your building s recycling program. Recyclable materials will no longer have to be sorted into separate categories or carts. Also, new recyclable materials will be added to the traditional multi-residential recycling program. New materials include: all plastic containers, bottles and jars (#1-7), empty paint and aerosol cans and aluminum foil, pie plate and trays. INTRODUCE THE PROGRAM Ongoing promotion is critical to a successful recycling program. You are responsible for notifying residents about what is collected for recycling, how it should be prepared and the specific collection procedures used in the building. The Town of Markham has informational literature available such as the Apartment Recycling Guide ; recycling and garbage container labels; a magnetic guide to recycling; large signs for the building s garbage room listing accepted materials; and a poster that displays the location of the recycling area in the building. Hang these posters in the garbage chute rooms/garbage drop locations, elevator, lobby, mail room, laundry room and/or common room(s). Additional copies can be obtained by contacting a waste management representative. Multi-residential building specific information is also available on the Town s website at www.markham.ca. In addition to Town published literature about the recycling program, you need to let residents know about your building-specific procedures for collecting and storing recyclables. We have included at the end of this guide a sample letter that explains procedures and emphasizes the importance of the program. Post instructional signs in the garbage and recycling collection areas of your building, as well as in public areas. Particularly in cases where there is frequent turnover of units, it is important that promotional efforts be sustained. We strongly suggest that you provide information about your recycling program as part of your rental agreement package for new residents to make sure that they understand that recycling is mandatory in Markham and how they can comply. Once the program is underway, residents should be informed of their accomplishments. Congratulate them on their contribution, so that they will be motivated to remain involved. 5
RECYCLING BAGS At the time that your buildings recycling program is introduced, Markham will provide each unit with one free indoor recycling bag. The recycling bag is ideal for use in multi-residential buildings as it fits conveniently in small places, is light weight and durable and can be easily rinsed clean. Residents can use the recycling bag to carry their recyclables to the recycling area in the building. Additional recycling bags are available for sale at any of Markham s Community Recycling Depots. MAINTAIN THE PROGRAM Ensure that posters and labels remain posted and are legible. Please make new residents aware of the program. Use the methods listed under Troubleshooting to solve any problems or contact your Waste Management Representative (see page 3 for phone numbers). Old recycling carts may be replaced by larger recycling dumpsters. Your Waste Management Representative will be in contact with you regarding the new program changes and notify you of your program start date. RECYCLING CONTAINERS There are many types of recycling containers. Which type to use is dependent on the size and configuration of the building and the building s location relative to the collection point(s). Your Waste Management Representative will advise you accordingly. In most cases, equipment can be obtained through the Town of Markham. DESIGNATE A RECYCLING AREA 6
An internal refuse storage room or garbage room is located inside the building, in an area that is convenient, safe and well lit. Some buildings keep collection containers in a room in the basement or on the ground floor and take the containers to a loading area for collection. Some collect materials in smaller containers in chute rooms and transfer the materials to larger containers on an appropriate schedule. The larger containers are then placed out for collection. Blue boxes should be placed in the laundry room, common room(s) and in the mailroom. Other appropriately labelled containers can be used in place of Blue boxes. Blue boxes are available for sale at all of Markham s Community Recycling Depots. SET-OUT POINT The set-out point is the place where the containers are to be left on collection day. The containers must be set out, unlocked and facing the appropriate direction to facilitate collection by 7:00 a.m. on the designated collection day. Access to the containers must not be blocked by parked cars or ice and snow. Set-out points must be approved by your Waste Management Representative. COLLECTION DAYS FOR MULTI-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS Markham provides multi-residential buildings with a basic level of service consisting of weekly garbage and recycling collection. If additional collections are required, it is the responsibility of the superintendent or property manager to facilitate. Expenses for extra collections will not be incurred by the Town of Markham. 7
Owner s Responsibilities The Owner/Manager plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of any recycling program. Both the Town and the residents of your complex look to you to ensure that the basic infrastructure needs of the complex are met. Garbage disposal and recycling are among the most fundamental services you provide. Large building owners or managers are responsible for providing a convenient and practical system for the collection and storage of recyclable materials. Listed below are the suggested steps that will lead to a successful program: 1. Provide to the Waste Management Department the name, address, phone and fax number/email address of the current property manager and/or superintendent and notify us of any changes to this information. 2. Distribute the Apartment Recycling Guide handout and magnetic recycling guide to new owners/tenants. 3. Post and maintain signs, labels and containers as described in the section called How to Set up a Recycling Program. 4. Ensure the bins are checked each day and contaminating items (garbage, plastic bags, etc.) are removed daily. 5. Ensure containers are washed regularly. 6. Ensure corrugated cardboard is flattened before it is placed in the recycling bin(s). 7. Request assistance from a Waste Management Representative to solve problems that you are unable to resolve. See page three for contacts. Large Metal Appliances The Town of Markham will collect stoves, refrigerators and other large metal appliances for recycling. Building owners must place these items out on the day of collection prior to 7:00 a.m. Appliances must be stored in the internal refuse storage room until the day of collection. Property managers/superintendents must call (905) 415-7535 to book a collection appointment and pay a collection fee. All appliance doors must be 8
removed before they are set out for collection. Doors can be set beside the appliances for collection. Bulky Items Bulky items such as couches, chairs and mattresses must be placed inside the garbage dumpster for collection. Buildings should have a bulk bin in their garbage room for the purpose of disposing of furniture. A bulk bin is low in height which allows easy access to the bin. The Town will collect bulk bins once a week along with any other garbage dumpsters on site. It is the responsibility of the property manager/superintendent to arrange extra bulk collections exceeding the Town s weekly collection service as required. Household Hazardous Waste Markham residents may deliver their household hazardous waste materials to York Region s Household Hazardous Waste Depot in Markham. Please ensure that hazardous materials are not placed in the building s garbage or recycling bins. Hours of Operation: Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. & Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Except Statutory Holidays.) 9
Hazardous materials include: Poison Pesticides, chemicals, rat poison, cleaning fluids and pharmaceuticals. Corrosive Batteries, drain cleaners and oven cleaners. Flammable Paints and solvents, oils and oil filters, fuels and BBQ starter. Explosive Aerosols, propane and cylinders. What if.. Troubleshooting Recyclable materials are placed in the garbage bins - review the section in this booklet on introducing and maintaining the program. - Arrange a lobby display through your Waste Management Representative to educate residents about the recycling program. - Make recycling as convenient as possible. Place a recycling container beside all garbage bins throughout the building. Garbage is placed in the recycling bins - Put the garbage containers closer to the recycling containers or place a small garbage can next to the recycling containers. This way residents have somewhere to put materials they realize are not recyclable. - If using the large metal bins, make sure they are modified so that the lids can be locked shut to prevent large items from being 10
deposited. The residents can slide their recyclables through the slot. If an item doesn t fit, it probably doesn t belong. Residents want to dispose of electronics - Direct residents to the electronics recycling depot located on Rodick Road at Miller Avenue in Markham. - Hours of Operation: Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. & Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Except Statutory Holidays.) - Materials accepted include: Computer Monitors, Keyboards, Mainframe and Mini Computers, Scanners, Telephones (mobile/cellular & "Hardwire"), Photocopiers, Electronic Calculators, Radios and Stereos, Digital Cameras, Hard Drives, Computer Accessories, Printers, Modems, Electronic Pagers, Video Game Consoles, Fax Machines, VCR's, Electronic Games. Wrong materials are included in recycling bins The following items should not be included in the recycling bins: - Used clothing/textiles donate to charitable organizations. Drop boxes are located at all of Markham s Community Recycling Depots. - Plastic bags Are accepted for recycling at all of Markham s Community Recycling Depots. - Styrofoam Polystyrene foam is accepted for recycling at all of Markham s Community Recycling Depots. - All other items not listed on the Apartment Recycling Guide handout. Illegal dumping in the bins by the public - All bins should be stored inside the building where a sprinkler system is present. Place the bins out for collection no later than 7 a.m. on the designated collection day. Put the bins back inside the room as soon as they are emptied. - There will be no illegal dumping by the public if the bins are stored inside the internal refuse storage room. 11
Some residents do not understand English - Post signs with pictures on them over each container. - Recruit residents who speak the common languages used by residents living in the building to act as information contacts. There is a high turnover of residents in the complex - Give every new resident recycling literature with their new lease. - Show new residents the recycling and garbage locations and review procedures. New maintenance or property management staff - Pass this recycling handbook on to new staff. - Explain procedures and responsibilities to new staff. It takes too much time to sort the material in the recycling bins - Monitoring the bins should take only a few minutes once or twice per day, which will save time in the long run. - Materials no longer need to be sorted. Acceptable materials can be mixed together in the recycling bins. The recycling bins are blocked by parked cars or moving/delivery trucks - Post NO PARKING signs around the collection point. - Put chains or orange cones around the collection area on days of collection. (Note: chains/cones must be removed for the recycling truck to access the bins). The recycling/garbage bins smell and attract insects - Distribute and post notices to the residents reminding them that before depositing their cans and bottles in the recycling bin, they should be completely empty, and, if necessary, rinsed to remove food residue. - Any items deposited in the bins with food in them should be treated as contaminating items, and removed during the daily maintenance inspection. - When placed out correctly, the recycling materials should not give an odour and should not attract insects. - Always contact your Waste Management Representative to help with problems you can t solve. Phone numbers are listed in the introduction at the front of the booklet. Recycling Participation is declining - Reward recycling efforts to encourage better participation in your program. Your residents can be recognized and rewarded by: Presenting certificates of appreciation or writing a personal letter. 12
Telling residents, staff and volunteers how many kilograms of recyclables have been collected or the % of decrease in garbage generation in the building. Rewarding residents who recycle with recycled products such as stationary, paper towels, ceramic mugs etc. Giving rent rebates to dedicated recycling volunteers. Having a waste management representative visit your residents by arranging a waste reduction presentation. 13