In April 2008, my office, in cooperation with Mayor Hickenlooper’s Greenprint Denver Office in conjunction with a $5,000 grant from Waste Management of Colorado’s Recycle America Division, launched a pilot multifamily housing recycling program in District 10.  The pilot program, entitled “Recycle 8+ in 10,” was intended to test recycling opportunities for apartment complexes and condominiums.  The program monitored participation levels and user experience, while ironing out logistics and exploring long-term feasibility.

Over the last year, Recycle 8 + in 10 diverted 115,612 pounds of recyclables from Denver’s landfill.  This is just under 58 tons and is about 324 cubic yards of space.  In 2008 the average single family home recycled between 650 and 700 pounds each.  Our 115,612 pound total equals about 170 homes recycling.  If a small number of buildings can make this much impact, just imagine what involving all the multi-unit buildings in Denver could do!

We received great feedback from the Recycling Coordinators at each building.  Some of the problems that they encountered were illegal dumping, trash going into the recycling, having to lock their dumpster because of dumpster divers.  Some of the successes were a decrease in trash amounts and trash collection pickups and costs, increased education and awareness in their buildings about recycling, more community conversation and unity in their building, and other earth-friendly programs like a building garden. 

Currently, Public Works Solid Waste Management service parameters don't permit the collection of garbage or recycling from properties with more than 7 residential units.  Many folks who live in these buildings have contacted me about getting recycling.  Providing recycling for high-rises, condominiums and apartment buildings is a huge challenge, and I view this program as the first step toward addressing this issue.  Denver is a very conscientious community, and Recycle 8+ in 10 supported our efforts to divert more waste from Denver’s landfill.

Over 40 buildings applied to take part in Recycling 8+ in 10.  The number of applicants and the quality of the applications made the selection process extremely competitive.  The outpouring of interest clearly demonstrated the importance of multi-unit recycling to Capitol Hill residents.  We selected buildings of varying sizes so that the data can provide a better picture of the needs of District 10 constituents. 

I want to give a big thank you to Waste Management, Greenprint Denver, and especially the Recycling Coordinators who stepped up as leaders in their buildings to make this program happen.