2008 Multi-Family Property Recycling Awards

Awards given by Solid Waste Services

• Excellence in Recycling
• Outstanding Improvement in Recycling
• Outstanding Individual Achievement in Recycling

Excellence in Recycling

Awarded to multi-family properties, property management companies, and resident recycling committees that established and/or contributed to excellent recycling programs

1. Aldon Management Corporation: Aldon Management Corporation maintains quality recycling programs at all of its multi-family properties. Under the direction of Ms. Betty Tracey, Regional Manager, all Aldon properties in Montgomery County have recycling rates over twenty percent. Aldon was one of the first management companies to add mixed paper recycling dumpsters at multi-family recycling collection areas, and they recently added scrap metal recycling containers at outside collection points for the convenience of their residents.

2. The Bennington at Silver Spring: Since its opening and through a number of different property managers, The Bennington has kept recycling a priority, as its 2007 recycling rate of 51.6 percent shows. Recently, their maintenance supervisor took the initiative to addscrap metal recycling containers in each solid waste collection room for the convenience of the residents. The Bennington management team maintains an up-to-date move-in packet and requests additional educational materials regularly. The Bennington is a perfect example of how a positive corporate recycling culture can have a lasting affect.

3. Cambridge Square Apartments: Ms. Maureen McKenzie, Resident Manager of Cambridge Square Apartments, maintains a top notch recycling program with recycling containers located in each of the buildings at this garden-style property. Additionally, Cambridge Square Apartments willingly participated in three recent studies, conducted by the Division of Solid Waste Services, to identify new opportunities to improve multi-family property recycling programs.

4. Charter House:During a difficult time of management transition, Building Engineer Mr. Mark Smith worked closely with the County to provide residents with a convenient recycling program. He demonstrated initiative and creativity, including using stacking containers for recyclable materials in very small trash rooms. These containers along with resident education regarding recycling resulted in the residents recycling 51.6 percent of their waste in 2007.

5. Churchill Senior Living: The staff at Churchill, located in Germantown, has done an excellent job streamlining their recycling program, and the residents have responded by recycling 73.1 percent of their waste in 2007. The staff has a proactive attitude and continues to look for ways to improve their recycling program.

6. Kenwood Condominium: The Kenwood is a perfect example of how the key ingredients of a successful recycling program integrate to produce success. With the General Manager's attitude and knowledge, resident assistance and participation, and staffs hands-on monitoring, this program is achieving results. In 2007, staff and residents recycled 60.6 percent of the waste generated.

7. Leisure World of Maryland: Leisure World is home for over eighty-five hundred residents, and these residents and the supporting staff recycled 51.1 percent of their waste in 2007. Across the high-rise buildings, garden-style apartments, and single family homes, staff monitors the program and adjusts to meet the residents' recycling needs. Resident education is ongoing, including periodic articles in property-wide newsletters and community-specific bulletins as well as presentations.

8. The Middlebrooke: The residents and staff of Middlebrooke recycled 48.1 percent of their waste stream in 2007. Mr. Sarouen Chea, Property Manager, works hard to improve the recycling program. He distributes educational materials to the residents and answers residents' recycling questions. Mr. Chea monitors the property regularly, and passes his good attitude regarding recycling on to his staff.

9. Spring Lake Condominium: Spring Lake Condominium demonstrates the impact of convenience on resident recycling participation. Early in 2007, the property added recycling containers to the basement solid waste rooms in their garden-style buildings. Previously, the property had only one central recycling collection area for all 231 units. In turn, the recycling rate increased from 23.9 percent in 2006 to 44.7 percent in 2007. Congratulations to the residents and staff of Spring Lake for their cooperation and achievement.

10. Willow Manor at Fair Hill Farm: Willow Manor at Fair Hill Farm has an excellent recycling program for its residents, who in turn recycled 62.3 percent of their solid waste in 2007. The property management continuously looks for ways to improve the recycling program for its residents.

Outstanding Improvement in Recycling

Awarded to multi-family properties that made significant improvements to their recycling programs

11. Bauer Park Apartments: Ms. Barbara Eppolito, Property Manager, and staff person Ignacio Hernandez are working hard to improve resident recycling awareness at Bauer Park Apartments. They distribute educational materials to every resident on a regular basis, include recycling information in move-in packets, and provide recycling training sessions in conjunction with County staff. The residents have responded with positive recycling practices.

12. Breckenridge at Montgomery Village: After a condominium conversion, a new property management team proactively overhauled the recycling program at Breckenridge at Montgomery Village. Where one solid waste collection area previously served more than 250 units, the team consulted with County staff and added four additional recycling collection areas. This project demonstrated that recycling was a priority of the management team and raised the recycling awareness of the residents.

13. Dalamar Apartments: Dalamar Apartments enhanced their recycling program by replacing wheeled carts with two-cubic yard recycling dumpsters for mixed paper collection. The staff works together to monitor all containers on-site and take steps to correct problems it identifies. This program continues to improve through constant evaluation of the recyclable materials generated and makes appropriate adjustments to accommodate the flow of materials generated.

14. Gaitherhouse Apartments: Gaitherhouse initiated their recycling program in 2006. In addition to collection containers for mixed paper and commingled materials, they started off their program well with a cardboard collection dumpster. The property monitors the collection areas and keeps the containers clean and well labeled.

15. Inwood House: Inwood House staff is working hard to improve the recycling program, and it shows! Property-specific posters are creatively placed on their recycling containers reminding residents what materials should be placed in the containers. The management team holds educational events for the residents, sets up lobby displays, and puts recycling notices in their newsletters. The attention to detail and investment of time shows how the property is committed to recycling and providing the best recycling program for the Inwood House residents.The residents responded by recycling 36.9 percent of their waste in 2007.

Outstanding Individual Achievement in Recycling

Awarded to individuals at multi-family properties for their outstanding efforts to improve recycling programs and/or increase resident recycling awareness and participation

16. Jose Carcamo: Mr. Jose Carcamo, Building Manager at Thayer Towers Condominium, has maintained his properties recycling program by close monitoring and adapting to his residents needs, who in turn recycled 34.1 percent of their waste in 2007. The pride he takes in his recycling program is evident as you walk through the building. His solid waste collection rooms are spotless; and the labels, signs, and posters are maintained to ensure cleanliness and legibility. Mr. Carcamo implemented a monetary fine for residents who violate the recycling rules.

17. Alma Mass: Ms. Mass, Community Director at The Oaks at Olde Towne, consistently educates the residents at her property, who in turn recycled 37.7 percent of their waste in 2007. She makes sure that all new residents receive education about the Oakes at Olde Towne recycling program, and she hosts recycling awareness sessions for all residents on a regular basis.

18. Terry Osborne: Mr. Terry Osborne, Senior Maintenance Manager at Oakwood Gaithersburg, is an excellent recycling resource for his short-term lease property. He is vigilant about keeping containers properly labeled and making sure every unit has recycling bins to assist residents in their recycling initiatives. Despite the transience of the resident community, the property's recycling rate was 29.6 percent in 2007.

19. Esther Salness: Ms. Esther Salness, Community Manager at Mill Creek Gardens Apartments, has made recycling a priority for Mill Creek Gardens. From building new solid waste collection area enclosures to including recycling information in property newsletters, she constantly looks for ways to improve recycling participation at the property. Garden-style properties frequently do not have spaces amenable to gathering residents for presentations, but Ms. Salness found a creative solution to that issue and used an empty apartment to host a recycling information session for their residents.

20. Deric Tomenko: Mr. Deric Tomenko, owner of 311 Domer Avenue in Silver Spring, has exemplified responsible ownership. After participating in a study that monitored waste generation at the property, he increased the quantity of recyclable material collection containers and decreased the size of the solid waste collection container.  When faced with a neighbor's concern regarding the property's collection site, he responded quickly, by building an enclosure and increasing the monitoring and cleaning of the site.

For more information:

TRRAC Multi-Family Recycling Program: 240-777-6400
Write to TRRAC

• Materials that must be recycled
• How do I recycle/dispose of...
• "Use It Again" Guide

• Order bins for your property
• Property Manager's Guide to Recycling
• Services and educational materials
• Annual Recycling Report Form
• TRRAC Newsletter
• Recycling Regulations
• Buy Recycled
• Waste Reduction Tips
• Awards for Outstanding Recyclers