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[GreenYes] Proximity of recycling bins to trash bins in apartment buildings


The NYC Department of Sanitation’s Residential and Street Basket 2004-2005 Waste Characterization Study included a close study of 156 randomly selected multi-unit apartment buildings to better understand what physical characteristics of an apartment building lead to recycling “success” as measured by its capture, diversion, and contamination rates. Not only did we collect and sort all the refuse and recyclables from these buildings, but we also surveyed them for their characteristics such as number of floors, elevator, chute, etc.  Using multiple regression analysis, we found that one of the strongest indicators of recycling success was the pairing of trash bins with partner recycling bins in the common areas of the building.

 

According to our research, for each refuse bin without an available recycling bin nearby, the diversion rate in the building fell by 1.5%.

 

The strongest indicator of recycling success was clearly labeled recycling bins and a clearly labeled recycling area in or outside the building, which increased the diversion rate by over 7%.

 

For more information on this study, visit www.nyc.gov/wasteless and click on “What’s in NYC’s Waste” under Useful Info on the right hand side of the screen.

 

 

Eve Martinez
Outreach Specialist
____________________________
recycle more, waste less!

NYC Department of Sanitation
Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling
44 Beaver Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY  10004
t: 917.237.5667
f: 212.514.7812
e: emartinez@no.address
w: www.nyc.gov/wasteless

 




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