Recycling for Property Managers

Whether you are a multifamily property manager or a resident of a multifamily building, there are many ways you can fine-tune your recycling habits and help provide education and resources to others in your building.

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Learn about recycling at your property

Video thumbnail: A collage of a recycling presentation, dumpsters and people disposing of waste.

Keep Contaminants Out

4:47

Keeping recyclables separate from contaminants is key to reaching your community's sustainability goals. Learn more about how to correctly place and label bins and how to inform your residents of proper recycling practices.

Video thumbnail: Workers sort materials on a conveyor belt in a recycling facility.

What Is Recycling Contamination?

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Learn more about recycling contamination and how we can work together to make recycling sustainable.

Video thumbnail: A hand drops a plastic bag into a bin crossed out with a red X, next to a trash container.

No Plastic Bags

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Remember, no plastic bags in your recycling container — never bag your recyclables.

A stainless steel dual-compartment trash can with its lid open, showing "TRASH" and "RECYCLE" labels above black and blue bins.

Recycling Throughout the House

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Spread the recycling love: Add two bins throughout rooms in your house such as the home office, bathrooms and garage. Watch the video for more tips and guidelines.

Video thumbnail: Pots, pitchers, glasses, pretzels and chips on a kitchen counter.

Get Organized

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Organize your recycling before the guests arrive. Label containers and enjoy!

Resources for Property Managers

Posters, Guides & Other Tools

Poster: What to Recycle

Learn which materials go into your recycling container and which do not.

Poster: What to Recycle (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines to know which materials go into your recycling container.

Poster: Most Common Contaminants

Find out which items cause recycling contamination and what to do with them instead.

What it Means to Recycle Right Brochure

Learn more about the benefits of recycling and find the recycling rules.

What it Means to Recycle Right Brochure (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines. Learn more about the benefits of recycling and find the right recycling rules.

Recycling Myths

Become the expert and uncover the truth about common recycling myths.

Container Labels

Recycling Container Label

Affix this label to your curbside recycling bin to remind you what materials are acceptable and non-acceptable for recycling.

Recycling Container Label (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines. Use this label in areas where glass is not accepted in your program.

Commercial Recycling Container Label

Affix this label to all recycling bins to remind employees what is acceptable and non-acceptable for recycling.

Commercial Recycling Container Label (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines. Use this label in areas where glass is not accepted in your program.

Commercial Recycling Container Label - Cardboard Only

For facilities that only accept cardboard. Affix this label to all recycling bins as a reminder for employees.

Commercial Recycling Container Label - Mixed Fiber Only

For facilities that only accept mixed fiber, like cardboard and paper. Affix this label to all recycling containers as a reminder for employees.

Recycling Labels for Each Room

Label recycling containers in each room of your home with these customized labels for the kitchen, bathroom and office.

Simplified Recycling Label

This simplified label showcases the most common recyclable items.

Simplified Recycling Label (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines. Use this label in areas where glass is not accepted in your program.

Simplified Trash with Food Waste Accepted Label

This simplified label shows what materials belong in the trash (for areas where food waste is acceptable in the trash).

Simplified Trash with Food Waste Not Accepted Label

This simplified label shows what materials belong in the trash (for areas where food waste is non-acceptable in the trash).

Simplified Organics Recycling Label

This simplified label shows materials that are typically acceptable for Organics recycling programs.

Multifamily Tools

Multifamily Toolkit

Get step by step directions along with the tools you need for establishing, evaluating and maintaining proper recycling guidelines in your community.

Recycling Setup Checklist

Evaluate your property's recycling program using a comprehensive checklist to measure service levels, containers and surrounding areas.

Staff Recycling Training Factsheet

Educate staff on the 3 rules of recycling and how to separate recyclables from non-recyclables. Part of the Multifamily Guide.

New Tenant Welcome Letter

Welcome new tenants and inform them of community recycling goals.

Welcome Door Hanger

Welcome new residents to the community and invite them to join your recycling program.

Reusable Bag Email

Inform residents that they will be provided a Recycle Right Reusable Tote Bag.

Apartments & Condos Newsletter: Recycle Right Tote Bag

Welcome residents with a Recycle Right Reusable Tote Bag.

Apartments & Condos Newsletter: Community Pride

Encourage residents to take pride in their community through proper recycling.

Apartments & Condos Newsletter: Space Savers

Give residents space-efficient options for recycling.

Apartments & Condos Newsletter: Program Announcement

Announce new recycling services and resources to residents.

Apartments & Condos Newsletter: Program Improvements

Inform residents of updates and improvements to existing recycling programs.

Recycle Right Reusable Tote Bag

Buy this handy reusable bag to collect recyclables at home, in the kitchen, or office or wherever you recycle.

"No Plastic Bags" Toolkit

No Plastic Bags FAQs (Small Commercial)

Get answers to FAQ's and learn why plastic bags are detrimental to successful recycling programs. It's easier than you think to recycle without plastic bags.

Employee Email (No Plastic Bags)

Explain why proper recycling matters and how your employees can help.

Janitorial Team Memo (No Plastics Bags)

Explain why proper recycling matters and how your janitorial team can help.

Janitorial Recycling Tag

Janitorial staff can use this tag to alert employees that plastic bags do not belong in the recycling.

No Bagged Recyclables Decal

Give employees a clear directive NOT to bag recyclables.

No Bagged Recyclables Handout

Kick off your "No Plastic Bags" initiative with simple next steps.

No Bagged Recyclables Postcard

Kick off your "No Plastic Bags" initiative with simple next steps.

No Bagged Recyclables FAQs - Single Handout

Get answers to questions and learn how easy it is to recycle without using plastic bags.

Commercial Reusable Recycling Bag Tools

Commercial Reusable Recycling Bag Toolkit

Eliminating single-use plastic bags reduces contamination and saves money. Engage your team to learn how sustainable reusable bags can be.

Reusable Bag Care Poster

Place above recycling containers with reusable bags to remind folks food and liquid are not recyclable.

Employee Email

Inform employees why you’re using reusable recycling bags and eliminating single-use plastic bags.

Janitorial Staff Email

Engage your facility staff and reaffirm how important they are to make your company’s recycling program a success.

Janitorial Recycling Tag

Janitorial staff can use this tag to alert employees to only recycle empty bottles, cans, paper and cardboard.

Commercial Reusable Bag Sales Sheet

Order the Commercial Reusable Bag directly at wmgearstore.wm.com and eliminate single use plastic bags.

Explore More Recycling Resources

Find recycling tools, videos and guides for where you live, work and learn.

A home recycling station with WM-labeled trash and recycle compartments.

Recycling at Home

Videos, posters and guides to help your household recycle right.

An employee sorts items at an office recycling station with WM recycling posters.

Recycling for Businesses

Tools and training to set up recycling where you work.

A WM collection truck picks up green recycling carts at the curb.

Recycling for Municipalities

Resources to build and promote your community's curbside recycling program.

Three graduates walk through a tree-lined campus.

Recycling for Schools

Lesson plans, posters and activities that teach students to recycle right.