Multifamily Recycling

The City of Takoma Park requires that all multifamily and commercial properties provide tenants an opportunity to recycle. Takoma Park Code Chapter 10.12 was amended in July, 2015 to mandate recycling in multifamily facilities.

About Recycling at Multifamily Properties

The City of Takoma Park does not provide waste and recycling collection services for multifamily properties with 13 or more units. Property owners and managers are responsible for managing waste and recycling collection on their site.

Multifamily properties with private collection must follow the recycling instructions provided by their recycling collector.

Multifamily Recycling Requirements

Mandatory requirements for all property owners or managers of a multifamily building with a  private collection set forth by Takoma Park Code Chapter 10.12  are:

1. Provide sufficient common recycling bins to hold the amount of recyclable materials generated at the property between collections.
2. Provide recycling collection at least once per week.
3. Make the common recyclable collection bins visible and at least as accessible as common refuse collection bins.
4. Post a notice of the recycling requirements where common refuse and recycling bins are located. The notice must be visible and readable. Notices are available for download in the Business & Multifamily Recycling Resources table below or available for pick-up at the Public Works Facility located at 31 Oswego Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
5. Provide proof of participation in the recycling program. A valid and current contract with a licensed recycling collector and a copy of the collector’s license or one year of receipts for delivery of recyclable materials to licensed recycling facility serves as a proof of participation.
6. Submit an annual recycling report.  By December 31 of each year, multifamily property owners/manager must submit an annual report to the City.

Important Multifamily Recycling Information

How to File Your Annual Recycling Report

Multifamily building with a private collection is required to file annual recycling report.

Annual Recycling Reports can be filed online, or by fax. To submit by mail or fax download the Annual Recycling Report form from the Business & Multifamily Recycling Resources table below, complete the form and send the complete forms to:

Public Works
ATTN: Nima Upadhyay
City of Takoma Park
31 Oswego Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Fax completed forms to:

Fax: 301-585-2405

Contact a Hauler

Commercial and multifamily properties with 13 or more units must contract with private haulers. Check with your current trash service provider about recycling as it can be cost effective to have the same hauler for trash and recycling services.

To help find a hauler, the City has created a list of refuse and recycling haulers that serves the Washington, D.C. metro area. This list is available in the Business & Multifamily Recycling Resources table below.

Multifamily facilities with 12 or fewer units can opt into the City’s recycling program or contract with a licensed hauler.

The City of Takoma Park’s annual fee for collecting trash and recycling at multifamily facilities with 2 through 12 units is as follows is:

• No fee for the first unit.
• $143.00 for each additional dwelling unit.

EXAMPLE: The fee for a four unit building would be $429.00. (First unit at no cost + three units at $143.00/year.)

Contact the Public Works Department to discuss the option of having City provided collection.

Educate Your Tenants

The first step to ensuring success is by educating tenants. A table of what residents and property owners are required to recycle in Takoma Park is available at the bottom of this page.

Educate Yourself

Polystyrene Ban: The City of Takoma Park has a polystyrene ban in place. Polystyrene (look for plastic code #6) is not recyclable. Visit the Polystyrene Ban page for more details.

Hazardous Household Waste Drop-off Day: Takoma Park offers a yearly Hazardous Household Waste Drop-off Day for residents to safely and responsibly dispose of dangerous household chemicals. Visit the Hazardous Household Waste Drop-off page for more details.