Recycling That Doesn't Make Your Job Harder

Bulk pickups, cleaner buildings.

Let's talk about reality. Managing recycling in NYC buildings is a pain. Bins overflow. Residents don't sort properly. You're constantly dealing with rejected loads and angry tenants.

And now there are new rules. As of November 2024, buildings with 1-9 units need secure-lid bins, 55 gallons or less. Fines start at $50 and go up to $200 for repeat offenses.

The Hidden Costs You Already Know

Here's what you deal with every day:

• Contaminated recycling that gets rejected

• Overflow bins that become eyesores

• Residents complaining about pickup schedules

• Extra trips to handle refused materials

• Time spent sorting what should already be sorted

Meanwhile, you're paying disposal costs for materials that could be diverted. Just under half of paper and cardboard that could be recycled actually is. For bottles and cans, it's even worse—only about 41% get recycled.

That's money going to waste disposal instead of staying in your budget.

What Actually Works

The best recycling programs have three things in common:

1. They're convenient for residents

2. They're predictable for staff

3. They actually reduce your workload

When residents have easy options, they use them. When pickup is scheduled and reliable, you can plan around it. When the process is streamlined, you spend less time managing problems.

The Real Benefits

Buildings with effective recycling see:

• Lower waste disposal costs

• Cleaner common areas

• Fewer tenant complaints

• More time for actual maintenance work

Plus, tenants notice when buildings run smoothly. Good recycling programs become selling points. Buildings that work well keep tenants longer and command better rents.

Simple Implementation

The key is finding systems that work with your routine, not against it. You don't need to retrain residents or reorganize your entire operation.

You need pickup that happens when it's supposed to. Processing that handles mixed items without rejecting entire loads. Service that reduces your workload instead of adding to it.

Bottom Line Benefits

Organic waste disposal costs $85 per ton as of October 2024. Private carters can charge up to $26.87 per cubic yard for regular refuse. Every container you divert from general waste saves real money.

75% of what we use daily can be recycled. Buildings that capture more of this potential see lower disposal costs and happier residents.

Your Building, Your Rules

This isn't about changing everything overnight. It's about finding recycling that actually makes your job easier.

Predictable pickup schedules. Bulk processing that handles volume efficiently. Service that works around your building's needs instead of forcing you to work around theirs.

Ready to try recycling that doesn't make your life harder? Let's start with one pickup and see how it goes.