We were in an apartment, for a few months, while waiting to be able to move into our house. We came in during a time when a tenant was trying to push for recyling. We were all for it; however, being a month-to-month leasee, we really weren’t invited to sign the petition. What the person did was gathered the information – cost for the owner/management company and showed how the cost could be passed along to the residences. (it came down to a less than $10 per apartment – cost wise) He (the organizer) proposed that he could build the recycle center, making it neat in appearance.
What he was met with was, cost to maintain the service would go up, yearly, it always does. He mess, some people just don’t throw the stuff away in the right places. The monthly fee that this particular county imposes for things being improperly recyled. The county will take everything, but impose a fee for repeat offenders, which a complex was more than likely to be – meaning people just don’t read those symobols on the bottom of the container to see if it is recyclable! The fee, at that time was $15, monthly – it’s now $25, monthly. The owner/building manager also talked about the cost of replacing the containers and the potential for bug problems, because some people don’t rinse the containers.
All-in-all, the owner was receptive to the idea, but was afraid to implement it at that time. Now, more places are wanting to be seen as green or more green than they have been, in the past. It sells. Ads for this apartment complex now offer recycling, at a fee, of course!
If a complex doesn’t start off recycling, it’s a little harder to get them to switch, but a simple letter to start off the process is good, but I’d be willing to bet, you’ll need to do some research and find out how willing your fellow complex residents are willing to pony up a bit more money!
Good luck! Remember, though, you still can recycle. Find your city’s local drop off locations!