Recycle at a Multi-Family Complexes

Multi-Family Residential Recycling Program

Property owners of multi-family complexes (i.e. apartments, condominiums, and mobile home parks) in the unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County can save money by starting a recycling program.

• Trash volume will be reduced since recyclables currently being thrown into the trash will be recycled;
• Trash service can often be adjusted by switching to a smaller trash container and/or less frequent service;
• Recycling service costs about 40 percent less than trash service.

Other Benefits of Recycling

• Saves energy
• Reduces air and water pollution and
• Reduces amount of waste going to local landfills

Process for Starting Recycling Service

Recycling service can be started easily by following these steps:

Step 1: Contact your franchise waste hauler or the County Public Works Department, Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division, to discuss recycling options and learn about the costs associated with recycling and the potential savings.

Step 2. Assess the amount of space available for recycling containers and arrange a meeting with your waste hauler or the County to determine the type of containers that you'll need, where they'll be placed, and how often they'll be picked up.

Step 3: Educate your tenants. Ask your waste hauler or County staff to provide you with recycling posters and refrigerator magnets to help you educate your tenants about your recycling program.  To download PDFs of these materials, click here:  Outreach Materials Page.    Advise your tenants that they will be responsible for taking the materials collected within their units to the outside collection area.

Step 4: Start your recycling service! Your waste hauler will deliver the recycling containers for your outside collection area.

After recycling service has begun, we recommend that you maintain your existing trash service for four to six weeks to determine the average reduction in your trash volume.  After this transition period, you should then contact your waste hauler to determine if the number of trash containers can be reduced, smaller trash containers can be provided, and/or the frequency of service can be reduced.

Costs and container sizes will vary depending on your waste hauler and your level of need. Please see Recycling Service Providers for the address and phone number of the waste hauler in your area.

If you choose not to use a franchise waste hauler, you may decide to collect and self-haul your recyclables to a recycling drop-off/buyback facility, to a materials recovery facility (MRF), or to a transfer station.  If you want to receive money for dropping off your recyclables, then you will have to separate them by type.  If you only want to drop-off the recyclables, then you should bring your commingled recyclables to a MRF or a transfer station.

What is Recyclable?

Check out our What Can I Recycle page for a complete list.

Available Assistance

If you'd like free assistance in establishing a recycling and waste reduction program or are interested in expanding your existing program, please contact your franchise waste hauler (see Recycling Service Providers) or the County Public Works Department, Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division, at (805) 882-3616.

Your waste hauler can provide information on the type of service that will work best for you, while the County's Multi-Family Residential Recycling Specialist can provide free technical assistance to property owners who want to start a program.

Additional Resources

You can find posters and other resources to help establish your recycling program on our Outreach Materials Page.