Recycling for apartments coming to Houston

Last December I noted a program in San Antonio to expand recycling to apartment complexes. I said at the time that I hoped Houston would do the same as it broadens its recycling capabilities. I’m glad to say that late last week I received this press release from the Houston Apartment Association:

The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) and the Houston Apartment Association (HAA) announce the Go Green Community recycling program to implement more comprehensive recycling efforts in apartment communities. SWMD and HAA want 50 percent of HAA member communities in Houston to establish recycling programs by 2013. Approximately 2,000 apartment communities are located in Houston city limits.

The official announcement is today, which has been declared Houston Recycles Day. I’m delighted to hear this, and I look forward to seeing this get successfully rolled out.

UPDATE: Here’s the city’s news release:

The Houston Apartment Association (HAA) and the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) today launched the Go Green Community initiative to increase recycling in apartment communities. The City of Houston also proclaimed Nov. 15 as Houston Recycles Day, which coincides with Texas Recycles Day and America Recycles Day.

With approximately 2,000 apartment communities in Houston city limits, HAA and SWMD hope to see 50 percent of those properties establish recycling programs by 2013. Many apartment communities already have adopted recycling programs and the Go Green Community initiative will recognize those efforts. Participating communities will be listed on the City of Houston and Houston Apartment Association web pages as Go Green Communities. They also will be eligible for a Go Green Community certificate to let their residents and others know of their efforts to create a cleaner, greener Houston.

“By its very nature, apartment living is a cleaner, greener option for Houstonians,” said HAA President Kim Small. “Apartment residents generally live in smaller homes and use less energy and resources than single-family home dwellers. As an association, we want to take our green initiatives one step further and encourage on-site recycling to create even more environmentally friendly communities,” she said.

“HAA and its members are commended for their leadership and stewardship on this key issue,” said Harry Hayes, Solid Waste Management Director. “Every Houstonian should be able to recycle easily, thereby preserving valuable landfill airspace.”

“Mayor Annise Parker knows Houstonians are interested in transforming their communities to a greener place to live and work, and expanding recycling is at the top of the list,” said Laura Spanjian, Sustainability Director, City of Houston. “The new avenues and partnerships being developed to expand our environmental efforts are more tools to help the City of Houston reduce its carbon footprint as well as decrease waste. The partnership with HAA to create a Go Green Community is a significant milestone in reaching beyond our traditional scope to offer recycling services.”

Communities interested in joining can visit HAA’s website at www.haaonline.org/Recycling to obtain information regarding Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will assist in creating, implementing and maintaining their recycling programs and to register as Go Green Communities.

I look forward to seeing how this goes.

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4 Responses to Recycling for apartments coming to Houston

  1. Jules says:

    Would love to have curbside recycling in the First Ward.

  2. Ross says:

    Any bets on how many of those recycle bins are used for regular trash? Especially in the less fortunate parts of town, where the landlords try to stretch the emptying cycle for the bins.

  3. I am curious and optimistic about this program and I hope that it works and spreads not only across Texas but across the country. I would like to know the cost to taxpayers to run this program. Is it being managed by a private company or the city?

  4. Pingback: Growing the recycling economy – Off the Kuff

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