Resources > Multi-Residential: Improving Recycling

CIF's 10-Step Program to Multi-residential Success

A viable blue box recycling program in the multi-residential (MR) sector should be an integral component of an effective Blue Box Program Plan or Waste Management Strategy. For municipalities that have successful curbside programs, multi-residential offers next least cost tonnes.

CIF continues to develop a series of practical, time-saving tools for the multi-residential sector to assist municipalities in meeting best practices in "optimization of operations in collections and processing." Follow our 1o-step program to shape-up your MR program.

1. Get Connected

CIF has dedicated resources and staff to help you. Contact Anne Boyd to learn how: aboyd@london.ca or 519-661-2500, ext. 6464.

2. Recommended Reading

Begin the process of reviewing and improving your MR program by becoming familiar with work that has been done in this sector. An absolute 'must read' is the 10-page section in KPMG Blue Box Program Enhancement and Best Practices Assessment Project, 2007, pages 96 to 106. Further recommendations include:

3. Launch Your Project

CIF has developed project implementation guidelines to help you launch your project and implement best practices.  Once you're ready, we'll help walk you through the process and provide ‘hands-on’ assistance by meeting with your project team.   The guidelines were developed to assist municipalities that wish to implement MR best practices. However, CIF also welcomes other project ideas that have potential to increase recycling effectiveness and efficiency. For example, Project 178 Toronto Tower Renewal, and Project 328: Peel RFID Integration with On-board Weight Scales, both offer unique approaches to improving their MR programs.

Site visit forms

2-stream program (adapt for single stream) or 5-stream program

4. Manage your Data

Update and maintain a database of multi-residential building properties, by using CIF's Microsoft Access database designed for this purpose. Database features include:

There are two version of the database below, depending whether you currently run Microsoft Access. Contact aboyd@london.ca or 519-661-2500, ext. 6464 for database support or if you are interested in a database training session.

For users with Microsoft Access

For users without Microsoft Access

5. Build Capacity - Add Recycling Containers

Having enough recycling containers in your program is a critical element of recycling success.   The best practices ratio recommends a minimum of 50 litres per unit:  this is one 360 litre cart for every seven units, or one four-yard bin for every 60 units. 

CIF has an ongoing tender for the supply of 96 gallon carts at a reduced rate. Carts must have Radio Fequency ID (RFID) tags. Carts (with RFID) can be purchased through the CIF co-operative cart purchase agreement.  Download the full cart tender and addendum.

Municipalities are advised to obtain a sample cart prior to placing an order to ensure that the carts are compatible with the collection vehicles. To obtain a sample cart or place an order for carts contact pspeed@eastlink.ca

6. Promote and Educate

CIF has developed an online promotion and education (P&E) tool kit of materials that municipalities can customize.

Access to the Multi-Residential P&E E-Tool
Templates
 
Photos

Contact aboyd@london.ca or 519-661-2500, ext. 6464 to get a memory stick with MR photos.

7. Training for MR Stakeholders

CIF has developing course curriculum for a recyclers workshop for multi-residential stakeholders: superintendents, property managers and building owners. Due to high interest in this workshop CIF expects to run this workshop again in 2012. Registration will be limited in order to maintain an effective hands-on training workshop. If you would like to be placed on a registration list contact Anne Boyd at aboyd@london.ca .

8. Report Back

Reporting on your project at ORW and with a final report is part of the CIF requirements of funding. CIF has developed a final report template and companion spreadsheets to assist municipal staff and project consultants in this final phase of their projects.

Municipalities will find the template report will also help to guide project implementation. Staff involved in the project will find it helpful to familiarize themselves with the final report template, before they start the project, so that they are aware of the nature of data and reporting expected.

Report Template & Companion Spreadsheet
 

9. Design standards

CIF looks to the future when construction of all new multi-residential buildings will incorporate design features for maximum recycling. CIF Project 219: Best Practices for Building Code & Design Standards for Multi-residential Buildings is a three phase project that will encompase recommendations to 1) the Municipal Site Plan approval process, 2) the LEED Certification Process, and 3) the Ontario Building Code. Phase 1 Report is complete and recommended reading for municipal staff. Municipalities should review their own processes for approving building developments and do what they can to ensure that maximum waste diversion is part of their approval process.

For more information, contact Anne Boyd at aboyd@london.ca or 519 661-2500, ext. 6464.

Train-the-Trainer Workshop

CIF is hosting two free full-day Train-the-Trainer workshops this spring to engage with multi-res staff toward the goal of increased recycling. Sign up now to take part in either London (Tuesday, April 3) or Richmond Hill (Thursday, May 31).

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ABOUT US

CIF was created to help Ontario municipalities undertake best practices initiatives to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of blue box recycling programs.
Program funding is derived by setting aside a percentage of the fees that companies contribute to municipalities as their share of the cost of operating Ontario's blue box programs.

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