Recycling Guidelines for Building Owners, Managers & Condominium Boards

As the person or group in charge of a multi-family building, you are required to provision recycling for your residents and to encourage their participation in the recycling program.  This may seem like a daunting task, but the City of Fort Lauderdale has a variety of resources available to eliminate any stress from the process.  By working together, we can reach our goals to increase recycling 50% by 2020.  Not only is it the right thing to do, but it will also save you money, since the cost for recycling service is about 40% less than trash collection.

This section of our website provides the information and tools you need to get started with recycling. We include a capacity calculator to help you select and place your containers, resources to help with implementation, and even publicity advice. One size does not fit all.  Your goal is to create a program that works for your building and community. We are here to help. 

Special Challenges

We understand that there are some multi-family situations where implementing a traditional program may not be possible. You do have options, including self-haul and filing for an exemption. However, in all cases you must be sure to comply with all reporting requirements.

Self-haul: If you have a small community and would like to transport your recyclable materials yourself, you can take them to a recycling facility near you. Be sure to get receipts as proof of recycling and to help you file an annual report with the City.

File for an exemption: You may be eligible for an exemption if your property has extreme space limitations. In these cases, before exemptions are issued site visits are completed by City staff and alternatives will be considered. These include, but are not limited to, reducing parking requirements or sharing a container with a neighboring property.

Significant Hardship
If you can demonstrate that implementing a recycling program would create a significant hardship, you may qualify for a temporary exemption.  The exemption is valid for a period of one year to allow time to develop a plan for recycling. Additional exemption periods may be allowed at the discretion of the City Manager. Exemptions will only be allowed for existing buildings. New construction and buildings undergoing renovations of at least fifty percent must be in compliance with the new ordinance.

To report self-haul, inquire about an exemption,or to dicuss any isssue related to multi-family recycling, please contact our Solid Waste & Recycling Coordinator at (954) 828-4245.