Recycling Made Simple for Multi-Family Communities: A New Initiative
Recycling should be simple and accessible for everyone—but for residents of multi-family housing, it’s often not. Limited space, unclear guidance, and inconsistent access create barriers that make recycling more challenging. At ecomaine, we’re working to change that.
With support from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) Grant, we’re launching a program to expand recycling opportunities and make it easier for residents of apartments, condos, and other multi-family properties to participate.
Our Team & Program
Leading this effort are Adam, Sarah, and Zoe, who are laying the groundwork for a program that will provide property managers and residents with clear guidance, educational materials, and practical solutions for better recycling access.
Through this program, we aim to:
- Partner with property managers to offer clear recycling guidance and support.
- Equip residents with educational materials to simplify recycling.
- Boost recycling rates and waste diversion.
By collaborating with community members, we aim to create a program that works for everyone.
Why This Matters
Multi-family housing makes up roughly 21% of Maine’s housing population, yet only 8% of multi-family properties in the state have on-site recycling access. This gap presents a major opportunity to improve recycling rates and ensure that residents in these communities have the same access to recycling as those in single-family homes.
Limited recycling access disproportionately affects renters and lower-income households, making it not just an environmental challenge but an issue of environmental justice. By increasing participation in multi-family buildings, we can reduce waste, conserve resources, and create a cleaner, greener future for all.
Help Shape the Future of Multi-Family Recycling
We’re in the early stages of developing this program, and your input matters! Whether you’re a property manager, resident, or community leader, we want to hear from you. Let’s work together to make recycling work for multi-family communities.
Contact Us:
- Email: multifamily@ecomaine.org
- Phone: 207-523-3144
Together, we’re building a program that makes recycling simple, accessible, and effective!