GOING ZERO WASTE: A GUIDE FOR LANDLORDS AND PROPERTY MANAGERS
As a property manager or landlord, you are likely familiar with waste management concepts like material reuse and recycling. However, you may have also come across a more innovative and ambitious approach to waste reduction and management known as zero waste.
What is ZERO Waste?
Zero waste represents a paradigm shift in waste management. It challenges the conventional approach of recycling waste by adopting a more aligned perspective with natural processes. In nature, waste does not exist. Everything generated as a byproduct in one process serves as input for another, rendering nothing superfluous. Similarly, nature operates on the principle of perfect usefulness, ensuring minimal environmental harm.
Consequently, nature does not require a waste disposal system like landfills or incinerators because there is no concept of irrecoverable items. This principle forms the foundation of zero waste. In a zero-waste scenario, all products are reusable by design. Zero waste strives for sustainable production management and the goods’ lifecycle. Furthermore, it involves salvaging resources for reuse and recycling and fostering individual, corporate, and community responsibility.
The Difference Between ZERO Waste and Recycling
In all likelihood, you already have waste recycling systems on your property. So, how is zero waste different from recycling? Basically, zero waste uses recycling as a tool to achieve its goal. Still, recycling is not always a feature of zero waste.
- While recycling deals with waste after it is created, zero waste tries to solve the problem at the source by eliminating waste altogether.
- Zero waste focuses on product design – the processes that create waste – to find ways to reintegrate potential waste.
- Yet at the same time, zero waste also seeks to remove existing waste by promoting recycling, composting, and other ways of reusing waste materials.
How Land Lords and Property Managers Can Promote Zero Waste
As the owner or manager of a rental home, you have a significant role in eliminating zero waste. The fact that tenants constantly move in and out of your rentals puts you in the unique position to influence the waste management habits of many people.
Here is what you can do:
- 1. Provide enough bins for trash, food scraps, and recycling. Make sure the bins are appropriately maintained.
- 2. Have adequate requirements for the removal of food waste. Have designated food scrap drop-off points.
- 3. Arrange proper disposal for waste like batteries, paint, fluorescent bulbs, and cleaning chemicals.
- 4. Designate sites where residents can deposit their trash and recycle. Make sure signs are prominently displayed at these sites to identify them.
- 5. Arrange for weekly pick-up of trash and recycling by haulers. Haulers should offer to recycle and provide dumpsters and totes for garbage and recycling.
- 6. Educate tenants on adequately handling and disposing of prescription drugs and household hazardous waste.
- 7. If your property is a multifamily building, work with your residents to establish a community composting system for processing food waste.
- 8. If it is impossible to have on-site composting, find a food scrap drop-off site nearby where food scrap can be taken.
- 9. If there are trash chutes in the building, make sure residents understand what should go down the trash chute and what is prohibited.
- 10. Provide links to online resources where your tenants can learn more about reducing waste generation or managing their waste correctly.
Other Ways to Promote ZERO Waste
Add a Zero-Waste Clause to the Lease
In addition to working with current tenants, you can embed zero waste in the lease agreement. This makes it easier to have zero-waste chat with tenants right from the beginning of your relationship with them.
Waste Management During Move-In and Move-Out
A lot of waste is generated during tenant relocations. You can reduce the environmental impact of these events by offering tenants more options for disposing of their waste.
- They can give away usable items to friends, family, and neighbors.
- They can donate useful items to charities.
- They can drop off hard-to-recycle items at the appropriate locations.
- They can dispose of hazardous materials at special collection centers.
The CanMan was founded by Cade Schultz, a native of Rockwall County, whose roots run deep in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Driven by a passion for excellence, The CanMan operates under the mantra of “dominating the details.” Their unwavering commitment to going above and beyond for their customers, whom they affectionately refer to as the “canman family,” is the cornerstone of their mission. With a blend of innovation, expertise, and dedication, The CanMan continues to serve and uplift the community they proudly call home.
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