New Bill Aims to Improve Recycling at Nevada Apartments 

Nevada legislators are addressing the issue of recycling at apartment communities. As a state, Nevada recycles about 22 percent of its solid waste versus the U.S. average of 32 percent. Southern Nevada, meanwhile, recycles only 19 percent, with just 2 percent coming from residences. Senate Bill 137 would require the state's Environmental Commission to set minimum standards for recycling in apartment communities--a measure the Southern Nevada Multi-Housing Association (SNMA) opposes. Association leaders contend that with parking spaces at a premium in most communities, there is often not enough space to put a new recycling bin. There is also the concern that some residents would throw trash into the recycling bin and contaminate the recyclables. Michael Fazio, executive director of the SNMA, says that the association supports the idea of recycling, but remains against a mandate to have bins without some caveats. Some states have mandatory recycling laws that do not exclude apartment complexes. Wisconsin, for instance, requires apartments to provide adequate recycling facilities and notify residents of the requirements. Still, other communities have trouble with their apartment residents mixing trash and recyclables. San Jose recently had to contract with a sorting company at an annual cost of $1.5 million to sort apartment community waste, despite the fact that there are separate bins for apartment residents. The cost has been tacked on as a 4 percent garbage-collection rate increase for apartment residents.

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