Multi-Family Recycling

Recycling and Garbage for Multi-family Properties

The City of Red Deer provides recycling and garbage service to residents living in multi-family properties such as apartments, townhouses, condominiums and four-plexes. Properties are provided with shared recycling bins or carts and shared garbage bins.

Residents

Reusable recycling bags and recycling information were delivered to residents living in multi-family properties in November 2021 to help residents better use the recycling program. If you have moved into a multi-family property more recently and did not receive a bag and recycling information, ask your Property Manager about them.

What goes into the reusable recycling bag?

In general, paper, cardboard, metal cans and plastic containers #1 through 7 go into the reusable recycling bag.

  • Plastic containers labelled with a #1-7 (e.g. plastic bottles or containers like peanut butter, condiments, shampoo and detergent bottles)
  • Cardboard and boxboard (cereal, shoe and tissue boxes)
  • Clean pizza boxes
  • Newspapers, magazines, junk mail and mixed paper
  • Metal cans (e.g. soup and coffee cans)
  • Clean foil pie plates and serving trays
  • Shredded paper – must be contained in a clear plastic bag

Exceptions: Glass bottles and jars. Glass can be taken to the recycling drop-off depots.

What if I have an item that is not listed on the "What goes where" card I received?

Click on the Waste Sorting Tool at the top of this page and enter the name of the item to get instructions on what to do with it.

Can recycling be placed into a clear blue plastic bag before putting it into the shared recycling bin or cart?

No, place recycling loose into the bin or cart. The facility where Red Deer’s recycling is sorted is not designed to handle these clear blue plastic bags or any type of plastic bag or plastic film. The only exception is for shredded paper. Shredded paper must be contained in a clear plastic bag in order to be accepted in the recycling program.

How do I use the reusable recycling bag I received from The City?

Use the reusable recycling bag to store your recyclables and when it is full, carry it to your building’s waste recycling area and empty the recycling into the shared bin or cart. Take the empty bag back home to use for more recycling.

Should I put the reusable recycling bag into my building’s shared recycling bin or cart?

No, the recycling in the bag should be emptied into the bin or cart and taken back home to continue to use for storing and transporting recycling material.

Can I wash the reusable recycling bag if it gets dirty?

Yes! The bag is machine washable in a cold, gentle cycle. There is a care tag sewn into the inside of your bag with more details.

What is the reusable recycling bag made of?

The bags are made of 100% post-consumer recycled content. Each bag helps give a new life to the equivalent of three plastic bottles. Using recycled content is an important step in ensuring the sustainability of recycling programs.

What goes into the garbage for multi-family properties?
  • Kitchen food waste
  • Pet waste
  • Yard waste
  • Styrofoam packaging and food trays
  • Disposable diapers
  • Plastic bags, food wrap or bubble wrap
  • Gift wrap, tissue paper and ribbons
  • Wet wipes and cotton swabs
  • Disposable coffee cups (paper or Styrofoam)
  • Parchment paper, tinfoil and waxed paper
  • Ceramics, broken dishes
  • Multi-material packaging (e.g. chip bags, frozen food trays, deodorant, toothpaste tubes and pet food bags)
  • Unnumbered plastics (e.g. toys, dishes and cutlery)
  • Straws
  • Non-refundable tetra packs

Exceptions: Household hazardous waste, paint, batteries, electronic waste and fluorescent lights must be dropped off at the Waste Management Facility for proper disposal. Details can be found on the Waste Management Facility webpage.

Can I get a Green Cart for my organic waste?

No. The City is not providing Green Cart service to multi-family properties as this time.

Property managers, site managers, condominium boards and owners of multi-family properties

How can I help the resident in my building with their recycling?
  • Give new residents a reusable recycling bag and information card when they move in.
  • Hang the posters provided by The City near recycling bins or carts, garbage bins and in common areas such as laundry rooms, social rooms and near the mailboxes. Replace damaged or missing posters.
  • Ensure the waste collection area is kept clean, tidy and organized. If the bins or carts are overflowing before collection day, call The City to discuss solutions.
  • Call The City to discuss ways to make your building’s waste program even better than it is now.
My bins occasionally overflow before they are emptied. Can I get a one-time extra pick-up?

For overflowing garbage call The City and request an extra pick up. There is a charge for this service.

For overflowing recycling call The City to discuss getting a larger bin or more recycling carts.

Contact us

Phone403-340-BLUE (2583)
Emailrecycling@reddeer.ca