Multifamily Resources

What is considered a multi-family property in Marin County? Apartments, townhomes, condos, and mobile home parks consisting of five units or more fall into the multi-family category. In Marin County, multifamily complexes with five units or more are required to recycle. Beginning January 1, 2019, multifamily complexes that generate four cubic yards of trash per week will be required to subscribe to yard debris services. Learn more about mandatory recycling laws here.

What about Hard-to-Recycle Materials?

  • Bulky items: Frequent tenant moves may generate unwanted bulky items including furniture, appliances, mattresses, and other reusable items. Several local non-profits and charities will accept these items and many will even pick them up. Visit our Recycling Guide and search for the items you seek to recycle (i.e., couch, mattress) for additional resources.
  • Electronics: For disposal of electronic waste including old TVs, computers, monitors and other electronic goods consult your local hauler or check out the Recycling Guide’s ewaste disposal location information.
  • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): HHW encompasses a wide range of materials such as paint, pesticides, cleaners, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries or any product that contains potentially harmful or dangerous chemicals. These products should never be poured down the drain or put in the trash. Dispose of these materials by taking them to one of the Marin County HHW facilities in San Rafael or Novato (for Novato residents only).

Reuse Ideas

  • Share tables: Some complexes set up ‘share tables’ where residents can leave behind unwanted goods and exchange them for others. Share tables should be regularly monitored by a volunteer or staff person. Lingering items should be donated to local charity on a regular basis.
  • Apartment-wide garage sale: Some apartment complexes have found that hosting an on-site swap meet is a great way to exchange unwanted items and also meet more neighbors.