The most important tool is clear communication. Studies show that posting two or three recycling reminders throughout the year can increase participation by as much as 20 percent.

Give residents a recycling guide that includes a list of what can and can't be recycled when they move in.

Post instructions in the recycling and common areas of your building (laundry room, community room, mailroom, bulletin board, etc.) showing residents how to recycle.

Provide educational materials in multiple languages for residents who do not speak English.

Set up collection best practices

Clearly label all recycling and trash containers. Use labels that include pictures of the materials that your residents can recycle. Use signs to direct residents to the correct containers.

Provide enough recycling service to accommodate all recyclables generated by residents. Recycling service should be at least equal to trash service; for example, if your trash dumpster is four yards and serviced twice a week, your recycling dumpster should be as well.

If your building has trash chutes, add recycling bins next to the trash chutes to make recycling just as convenient as taking out the trash.

Reinforce your recycling messages

Remind residents to recycle by giving information to new residents at move-in and by providing periodic recycling updates. At a minimum, recycling updates should be provided annually.

Inform your residents of the benefits of recycling and assure them that materials collected for recycling do get recycled.

Provide positive feedback to your residents who are recycling. Consider setting a goal for your building and tracking progress regularly. If you produce a building newsletter, consider adding a recycling section for regular updates and reminders.

Need help? It's free!

Residents in apartment and condo buildings want to recycle, but they don't always know how to get started. Hennepin County can help you set up a recycling system and provide educational materials for your residents. Free assistance from Hennepin County can greatly improve recycling at your building(s), making it easier for both managers and residents.

Contact the apartment recycling program coordinator at apartmentrecycling@hennepin.us to request assistance.

Many people are interested in reducing waste, decluttering, and recycling more but aren’t sure where to start or how to take the next steps. Joining Hennepin County’s Zero Waste Challenge is a great way to learn more and get hands-on help.

The county is looking for households to participate in the six-month-long challenge that takes an in-depth look at the goods we buy and waste we create to uncover opportunities to recycle more and reduce waste.

Spread the word

The 2023 challenge will run from May 7 through October 14. Interested households should complete the online application by Wednesday, April 26. Please spread the word about how to join the challenge to your residents by using the newsletter articles and social media posts in this media kit (DOCX).

Earth Day and Arbor Day are both coming up at the end of April, and there are many events planned locally to celebrate our community and environment.

You could join a cleanup event, run a 5k, go on a bird walk, learn about local sustainability resources, participate in a clothing swap, help plant trees, hear live music, and much more!

See our list and map of more than 35 events.

Funding is available through the Green Partners grant program to support organizations in educating and motivating residents to become environmental stewards and take environmentally friendly actions.

Grants are available to nonprofit organizations, community groups, youth programs, schools, congregations, early childhood family education programs, and park districts.

Three types of grants are available:

• Environmental action: For projects focused on motivating adults to do more to protect the environment and take action at home, at work, or on-the-go.
• Youth environmental education: For projects focused on working with youth to develop awareness of environmental issues and increase interest in environmental stewardship.
• Youth green jobs (new!): For projects focused on offering green jobs exploration and training to individuals ages 14 to 24, especially those facing disparities.

The Sound on 76th

Margaret is the property manager of The Sound on 76th, a 70-unit Aeon property in Edina. Margaret wanted to ensure all residents had the tools and information needed to recycle right.

Minnesota Waste Wise provided Margaret with Hennepin County’s multifamily recycling resources, including recycling brochures, guides, magnets, and even reusable recycling bags.

Margaret labeled each recycling chute with blue, image-based labels, and Waste Wise helped her distribute recycling bags and recycling guides to residents. Waste Wise later set up a recycling information booth at a community event to answer residents’ recycling questions directly.

In addition to the resources, The Sound on 76th received a Hennepin County grant for blue recycling bins for common areas. Margaret strategically placed these bins throughout the property to encourage residents to recycle as much as possible. One bin was placed by the mailboxes, which has helped staff manage the daily disposal of junk mail. Previously, residents would leave unwanted mail on the ground or near the mailbox area, but now it goes directly into the recycling bin!

As a result of these changes, Margaret found that more residents are properly separating the recycling from the trash and are using the correct chutes for disposal. The recycling has been less contaminated, and even the chute rooms have been cleaner! Margaret is especially encouraged by how residents have been educating each other when they witness improper disposal.

“I would recommend this program to every property manager. Something as small as a reusable recycling bag and a sticker on the trash chute can make us think about our actions,” she said.

Hennepin county offers grants for bins and compostable bags to start or improve recycling and/or organics recycling at multifamily properties. Applicants may select up to $3,000 worth of bins and compostable bags from the county's product list. Review the grant guidelines (PDF) and the grant flyer (PDF) to learn more. Visit the apartment recycling web page to begin the application process.

Recycling grants

Hennepin County offers grants for multifamily properties to improve recycling and reduce contamination, prevent waste or start organics recycling for composting. Areas of focus can include organics hauling service, construction of waste enclosures or chutes, bulky waste and waste prevention. Applicants may apply for up to $20,000 in funding. Review the grant guidelines (PDF) and the grant flyer (PDF) to learn more. Visit the apartment recycling web page to begin the application process.