Multi-Family Residences Toolkit

Multi-family complexes are required to recycle and compost.

Both California law  and Palo Alto's Recycling & Composting Ordinance require multi-family complexes to recycle and compost. This requirement will help us reduce our environmental impact and reach our Zero Waste goal while also complying with State recycling and composting mandates. For multi-family complexes, this means subscribing to recycle, compost, and garbage service and sorting waste into the proper containers.

Listed below are resources we offer to help you comply with state law and the community’s Zero Waste goal:

• Zero Waste Guide for Apartments and Condominiums(PDF, 1MB): This guide is a set of Best Management Practices (BMPs) gathered from multi-family residential complexes all over the nation. Use it to help you map out your Zero Waste Plan!

• Program Brochure

• Sample Tenant Letter(DOC, 60KB)

• Recycling(PDF, 2MB), Composting(PDF, 1MB), and Landfill(PDF, 1002KB) Flyers - for posting (e.g., waste enclosures, bulletin boards) and distributing to residents

• What's in Palo Alto Multi-Family Complexes' Garbage?(PDF, 3MB) - Link to our 2017 Waste Characterization Study

• Monitoring Worksheet(XLSX, 20KB) - Monitor your containers for fullness, contamination and any changes in cost. 'Right-size' your bins because over-filled bins can cause litter that pollutes our local waterways and the Bay.

• Technical Assistance: GreenWaste can meet with you to evaluate your current program, share Best Management Practices (BMPs), discuss site-specific issues, explain the services offered by GreenWaste and review the outreach toolkit items available to you. They will then work with you on any service changes you may need and conduct staff trainings. They will also help you implement any BMPs you believe are appropriate for your complex and help you kick-off your outreach efforts.
  Please contact GreenWaste at (650) 493-4894 or PAcustomerservice@greenwaste.com to set up a meeting and take advantage of the services available to you.

• California Mandatory Commercial Recycling Law