How can I recycle plastic and paper if my apt. complex does not offer the opportunity to do so? ?
Is there a way I can encourage or facilitate Apartment Complex residents to recycle instead of throwing our plastic and paper into dumpsers and thus landfills?
You could just collect it in plastic bags. Then once u have enough to where you want to get rid of it look up where there is a local recycling place around your apartment and give it to them. You could probably make a little extra money.
Most disposal companies offer special bins for Metal and Plastic Containers, Newsprint and Paper products which they collect on garbage days. Suggest this to your Apartment Complex Manager. Otherwise contact your local recycling outlet for more suggestions.
This is similar to my own situation. I wash the stuff and pile it up near the door. When the pile gets big enough, I put it in bags and take it to a nearby recycle station.
If you want to do more, you *might* be a able to put boxes with large letters near the dumpster "PAPER" "PLASTIC" etc. and get the regular garbage people to leave the contents alone. If your city has a recycle service, you might be able to get them to empty the boxes for you.
Try to reuse as many things as possible…that way, you will have less to deal with.
Use a stainless steel water bottle and a canvas tote bag. It should cut back on some of the recycling.