Some landlords ignore recycling law

Ontario law requires landlords renting six or more units to provide recycling services for tenants.  But some buildings in Thunder Bay still don't have one.

Despite the extra work it creates for Park Lane Apartments superintendent Don Shonosky, he makes the effort to keep a recycling service going.

"Sometimes some of the tenants will do their own bagging," he said.

"And if they've got the wrong stuff in [the bags], you know, with cans, with glass and that … they'll leave it here. I'll just separate it … for the next time they come.

Eco Superior, an area non-profit environmental stewardship organization, said it will work with landlords to help them set up recycling programs and educate their tenants.

The group is hopeful more buildings will become compliant with the law.

Too many headaches

The company that owns Park Lane Apartments — Dawson Properties — won a Municipal Green award for helping tenants recycle.

But other Thunder Bay landlords said there are too many headaches involved with offering a recycling service for tenants.    

Terry O'Shea, who runs a property management company, said it’s frustrating when tenants put out non-recyclable items. When that happens, the blue bag gets left behind on pickup day. 

"If it's in front of your house and they tag a bag, then you come home and you take the bag and you take whatever out," he said.

"But the tenant doesn't come back and redo their bag; they leave it there so the owner has to clean it up."

An official with EcoSuperior said this is a common problem.

Jane Oldale, who heads up the program that helps apartment buildings recycle, said the answer lies in tenant education. 

"They'll put margarine containers .... into the recycling bin and those aren't acceptable in the stream," she said.

Oldale said she hopes frustrated landlords don't give up.

Waste Reduction Week runs Oct. 17-23.