Save your building time and money—up your recycling game

By Virginia K. Smith | September 23, 2014 - 11:59AM

On the heels of NYC's massive climate march this weekend, now feels like a particularly good time to make sure your building's recycling game is on point, no? If glass bottles keep mysteriously ending up in your building's trash (or if trash is mysteriously ending up in the bin that's supposed to be for the bottles), check out Habitat Magazine's reminder about the Apartment Building Recycling Initiative, which is just what it sounds like: a city-run program aimed at helping buildings go green as effectively as possible.

The program holds training sessions on what can and can't be recycled, how to set up an effective system in your building (or improve the one you've got), and how to best spread the word to other residents, since you can't—and shouldn't—spend the whole day lurking by the bins making sure they get things right.

The next training sessions will be held on Oct. 21, Nov. 12, and Dec. 11 (more information can be found here). Another option: if you can wrangle 10 or more residents and building staff to attend, the city will hold a training session on-site at your building. If you need any more incentive to get things streamlined, Habitat reminds us of the fees that rack up for a building (and its shareholders) if recycling isn't done correctly and the amount of time staff spend separating out trash when residents get careless.

Below, the city has put out a handy video explaining exactly what can and can't go in the bins. And if you really want to step things up? Let's not forget about composting.

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