Are you the property manager for multifamily housing complexes, many single family homes, vacation rentals, or hotels? We can help! There are many things you can do to help reduce waste in this variety of spaces, and you can make your property greener and more desirable: the commitment to the environment that your renters or tenants are looking for. Below are a few things to start with.
Tips for the multifamily housing complex manager
- Make sure you have very clear signage.
- Provide at least one 95 gallon recycling cart for every 4 units! Remember: recycling containers don’t cost you extra
- If you have space for a cardboard dumpster, get one!
- Increased diversion of recyclables can mean fewer trash pick up days which can save you money.
Vacation lodging: not sure where to start?
Whether you operate an AirBNB, a 4 bedroom quadplex, or a giant hotel, we have some great tips for you in the drop downs below. Are you interested in improving your recycling system? Check out our questionnaire for property managers here!
Want to download recycling images in a pdf? Click below for the size and language you want:
From bathrooms to kitchens, here’s what we recommend:
- Large shampoo and conditioner bottles or refillable wall mounted dispensers for liquid shampoo, soap, and conditioner
- Refillable hand soap for the bathroom and kitchen sinks
- Avoid single use small packaged items like mini bar soaps and shampoos that get tossed after every occupant
- Large laundry detergent jugs rather than the single sachets
- Provide signage for your trash, recycling, and compost bins. People come from all over and everywhere recycles differently. Help your guests know what is and isn’t recyclable in Deschutes County.
- Don’t put a bag in the recycling bin. Recyclables should be loose (not bagged) in the curbside carts, so avoid this unneeded garbage in the first place.
- Provide a recycling bin next to each trash bin where possible so your guests have the opportunity to recycle.
- Encourage non-curbside cart recycling collection for miscellaneous items such as PakTech 6-pack holders and plastic film / plastic bags:
How does your property measure up? Take this quiz to get some feedback from us on how to make your system better.
Ubiquitous as gulls on the ocean, coffee and tea is an in-room essential for all lodging types. Here are some best practices:
- Only provide reusable mugs for your coffee — whether it’s the classic ceramic mug for sipping or a to go mug you are letting your guests borrow, don’t provide single use disposable coffee cups in your rooms.
- Instead of having single use packets of coffee, consider having a 2-10 cup machine depending on the size of your rental. Have a jar with grounds and a scoop.
- Get. Rid. Of. Your. Keurig. Please.
- For large hotels: do you know about commercial composting options? Can you have a compost bin for your guests AND have composting set up in your on-site kitchen?
- For smaller places like AirBNBs in Bend and Redmond city limits: did you know we can put all wasted food in our curbside yard debris carts? Provide a countertop compost bin in your kitchen.
- Provide reusable to go tupperware for your guests in your kitchens AND for hotel rooms. Encourage guests to bring reusable to go containers to the restaurant for leftovers.
- Consider having a space for food donation to the next guests.
Can you offer a reuse kit for your guests? Maybe even a set of things folks can check out from the front desk? Here are some ideas we like:
- Set of reusable leftover / take out containers
- Coffee mug
- Water bottle
- Silverware roll and a straw wrapped in a reusable napkin
- Reusable bags
