One of the biggest issues facing many associations today is trash and recycling overruns on the budget. Waste haulers charge associations extra fees for overfilled containers and contaminated recycling bins. We need everyone’s cooperation to help us avoid these additional costs and keep our community expenses down.
The Impact of Online Shopping
With the continued rise in online shopping, we are all receiving more boxes than ever. To help manage this:
- Break Down Boxes: Always flatten your cardboard boxes to save space in the communal bins.
- If you have to many boxes save some for the next pick up.
- Reuse: If you sell items online, please consider reusing the boxes you receive to ship out your own items.
General Disposal Guidelines
To keep our trash areas clean:
- Don’t Overload: Do not overfill the association’s trash or recycling containers. Lids must be able to close completely to avoid charges from the trash companies.
- Be a Good Neighbor: Please do not leave items out days ahead of scheduled pick-up days.
- Large Items: If you have a significant load or large furniture, please contact a private company for a special pick-up.
Did You Know?
Contamination Costs Everyone. When non-recyclable items (like greasy pizza boxes or plastic bags) are placed in the recycling bin, the entire container may be considered “contaminated.”
- The Penalties: Waste haulers can charge associations significant “Contamination Fees” or “Overage Fees” for every incident. In some areas, fines for repeat non-compliance can cost over $100 per occurrence.
- The Result: These unexpected costs can lead to budget deficits or increases in association dues. Recycling correctly isn’t just good for the planet—it’s essential for our community’s financial health.
Best Practices for Effective Recycling
Advantage Management and your association thank you for doing your part. Here are some simple tips to ensure your recycling is processed correctly:
- Plastics: All plastic bottles (water, soda, salad dressing, etc.) are recyclable. Important: Items that contain food must be cleaned and dried before disposal.
- Paper & Cardboard: Beyond newspapers, you can recycle wrapping paper, envelopes, cards, and even toilet paper tubes.
- Metals: Empty spray cans, tin foil, and all food and beverage cans are accepted. (Please rinse these first!)
- Glass: Glass can be recycled endlessly, so please always recycle your glass bottles and containers.
Pro-Tips for Success
- No Pizza Boxes: Greasy pizza boxes should NOT be recycled. They must be thrown in the trash.
- When in doubt, check your refuse provider’s website or smartphone app for a comprehensive list of what they accept.
- Reduce & Reuse: Consider keeping reusable bags in your car for grocery trips to cut down on plastic waste.
For more great information on “Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling,” please check out the EPA’s website.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a beautiful and budget-friendly community!
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