Latest Industry News 

Griffis Group has vowed to reduce the carbon footprint of its nine Class-A apartment communities in Colorado by purchasing more than 6.9 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy credits (RECs) from Renewable Choice Energy.

In Racine, Wis., a city ordinance requires apartment communities to provide recycling containers for their residents. To date, though, there has been little to no enforcement of the ordinance.

Later this month, the country's first mandatory composting law will go into effect in San Francisco. City workers are currently scrambling to get the various green and blue bins out to thousands of apartment communities and commercial buildings.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week filed complaints against eight companies owned by a couple of Maine-based developers, charging them with not adequately disclosing the presence of lead paint in various apartment communities.

The City of Austin might require more multifamily housing communities and office buildings to recycle, but some apartment and business owners say they are worried about the cost and practicality of doing so.

Earlier this month, legislation that would make recycling available to millions of Californians living in apartment communities cleared the state Senate by a 23-11 vote.

A group of Campbell County launched Go Green Campbell to address various environmental issues. Having had some initial success, the group is now intensifying its efforts to convince more apartment communities and businesses to recycle.

There are currently few recycling options for apartment residents in north central San Antonio. That may change soon, though, as city officials are working with a focus group on apartment community recycling.

Some Missouri residents could soon be charged a fee for using less energy on their electric bill. This proposed energy efficiency charge has the support of utilities, most state legislators, environmentalists and even Governor Jay Nixon.

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors voted 9-2 in favor of Mayor Gavin Newsom's proposal for the nation's most comprehensive mandatory composting and recycling law.

Home Properties' Tamarron Apartments community in Olney, Md., has received Montgomery County's 2009 Recycling Achievement Award. Recycling has been an important part of Home Properties' overall operation for years.

Making changes that increase energy efficiency can decrease greenhouse gas emissions and save money on energy bills. Too often, though, those who live in rental units and their apartment managers resist efficiency investments.

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.

In Canada, the Ontario Energy Board recently issued a bulletin that bans the use of so-called "smart meters" in apartment communities, sending a clear message to owners who are increasingly off-loading the cost of electricity to their residents.

In Clark County, Nev., a handful apartment communities have begun recycling efforts for their residents as an alternative to taking their recyclables to either drop-off sites or the home of a friend or relative who has curbside pickup.

Growing interest in solar power is prompting some lawmakers and utilities to remove existing restrictions on solar installations for apartment communities.

Petaluma Ecumenical Properties recently opened a GreenPoint-rated affordable housing development, Casa Grande Senior Residential Facility. The development earned almost triple the points needed for the green-building rating it received.

Smart growth advocates believe that urban sprawl has been a contributor to the current economic turmoil in the United States, but they believe there are prospects today for more efficient and less car-dependent growth going forward.

The first of March, residents will begin moving into Irvine’s 481-unit Main Street Village, Orange County’s first ready-to-rent, certifiably green apartment complex.

The developer of a planned mixed-use complex in Boston wants to build a solar power system on top of a parking garage. The Boston Redevelopment Authority is scheduled to vote on the proposal on Jan. 29.

In Canada, the Ontario government's plan to install so-called smart meters in every home by the end of the decade is moving full steam ahead, but apartment owners and residents are already quarreling over the cost of electricity.

In New Jersey, apartment owners are pushing legislation they believe will be a boon to water conservation.

Environmentally conscious apartment residents can take advantage of a number of products now on the market to minimize their carbon footprint, eradicate airborne toxins and increase the use of recyclables.

On Oct. 28, the Pittsburgh City Council gave its final approval to an ordinance requiring apartment owners to get initialed forms from their residents confirming that they understand the city's trash day rules.

Under a proposal by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, garbage collectors would inspect city residents' trash to make sure discarded food is not mixed in with wine bottles or newspapers.

The Pittsburgh Housing Authority board recently voted to start a $25.1 million push to reduce utility costs at most of its units citywide. Residents will be getting visits from contractors assigned to alter their long-inefficient apartments.

Pikeview Manor Apartments is the first multifamily housing community in Beckley, W.Va., to team up with the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority to recycle.

Oregon state law allows cities to require apartment community owners to provide recycling for residents. Portland requires apartment community owners to make recycling as easy as throwing out the trash...or else be hit with fines.

The city of San Antonio has announced that it is expanding its residential recycling program to include apartment communities.

On June 12, the Tampa City Council unanimously gave its preliminary approval to an ordinance that offers incentives to developers that erect environmentally friendly buildings.

This summer, the city of Phoenix will work with members of the solid-waste industry, local commercial properties, and multifamily housing owners and managers on a plan to make recycling easier and accessible to all residents and businesses.

Earlier in May, UDR Inc. broke ground on a $1 billion multifamily, retail, and commercial project in Addison, Texas. The so-called Vitruvian Park will be Addison's first major sustainable green initiative.

Actor Edward Norton, grandson of Enterprise Community Partners co-founder James Rouse, addressed the U.S. House of Representatives recently on the importance of green housing initiatives.