Multifamily Recycling Program

apartment buildings

Central Ohio families and residents value their ability to recycle

When choosing where to live, renters have historically evaluated price, square footage, on-site amenities, and a complex’s proximity to stores, restaurants, and other activities. Today’s renters are also making decisions about where to live based on a property’s stance on the environment.  Show renters that your complex is the best place for them to call home- add recycling!

Central Ohio residents and families value their ability to recycle. In fact, a recent public opinion poll conducted by SWACO determined that 94% of Franklin County residents view recycling as a point of pride.  

According to The Recycling Partnership, more than 22 million American households call multifamily properties home and as such communities dedicated to improving recycling participation must have strategies for reaching beyond single-family homes. Within multifamily properties – many of which are apartment buildings – more than 13 million households in America do not have access to onsite recycling opportunities. In Franklin County, these dwellings, along with other commercial properties including schools and local businesses, are the largest source of landfill material. 

When we choose to recycle right, we’re making a difference. Learn how. 

Start a recycling program at your Condominium or Apartment Complex

SWACO is interested in connecting with property managers that wish to provide recycling to their tenants and are located in Franklin County. While SWACO does not provide hauler services, we can help you secure recycling service and provide FREE toolkits for residents and property managers.  If your complex is in the City of Columbus, please see the information below about the Columbus Pilot.MF-2


Resident Educational Toolkit 

The Resident Educational Tool Kit includes a reusable/washable tote bag to collect materials for transport to your onsite dumpster, a welcome instructional letter about the recycling program your complex is starting, and a repositionable cling that explains what can be recycled. 

Property Manager's Toolkit

The Property Manager's Toolkit contains signage and information that supports property managers in the process of educating tenants on what and where to recycle as well as advertising to potential residents that your community complex recycles. The kit materials are part of a LOAN program. A SWACO team member will deliver and set up the Property Manager's Toolkit and will remove all items, with the exception of the posters, in 30 days. 

Informational Yard Signs

Coroplast Signs on H stakes can be placed around the dumpster location or on walking paths that lead to the recycling dumpster to help residents understand the do's and dont's of what can be recycled. 

Multi Family Plastic Bag Yard Sign
Multi Family Arrow Yard Sign

Heavy-Duty Metal Yard Signs

Provide directional arrows and instructions to help residents locate where the recycling dumpster is on the property.

Posters

Convey similar educational messaging that can be hung inside where residents might frequently pass by such as a mail room, workout/gym space, community room, lobby, stairwell, or other location you decide would be a good fit. Posters are not collected at the end of the loan period and can remain on site. 

apartment-posters-MF
mf-vinyl-banner-outdoor

 A Vinyl Banner

Can be placed at the enclosure that is a large image of the recycling clings to help residents understand what can be recycled. 

Interior Vertical Banner Display

Can be placed in the leasing office of your lobby and announces to all guests that your community is one that recycles. 

Multi Family Banner

Click here to complete a quick survey and register for resident education toolkits.

Questions about the resources available for multi-family properties? Email [email protected] or call 614-782-9427

The City of Columbus Recycling Pilot Program (June 2021-December 2022)
The pilot is no longer adding participants. 

SWACO partnered with The Recycling Partnership and the City of Columbus to pilot a multi-family recycling program in central Ohio. The pilot program helped determine the cost, impact, and feasibility of offering recycling services to multi-family complexes and was limited in size and scope to ensure the most accurate results.

As a result of the pilot program, the City of Columbus is working to expand recycling to complexes that currently receive trash service through the city. Complexes in the pilot program will continue to receive recycling service, at no charge, through December 2023. 

If your complex is in the City of Columbus, not presently part of the pilot, and you are interested in finding out your options for adding recycling please contact the city at [email protected] to learn more about the city's climate action plan and their plan for expanding recycling in the future.

Pilot participants in need of educational materials should make their requests via email to [email protected]. Use the subject line Pilot participant Materials Request and please include what items need to be replenished, how many you need, and the best way to reach you for delivery to be arranged.



Recycling Drop Box Program  

While on-site recycling programs for families and individuals residing in multi-family complexes in Franklin County are currently limited, SWACO does offer more than 100 conveniently located and free-to-use drop-off recycling containers across the county.

Enter your zip code to find your nearest drop-off recycling location.