Key Takeaways from MFRI’s First Year
Over the past year, the Multi-Family Recycling Initiative (MFRI) has focused on one core goal: making recycling more convenient and effective for people living in multi-family housing. Through hands-on pilot programs and close collaboration with property staff and residents, the MFRI team has learned a great deal about helping multi-family communities adopt successful recycling.
Here are a few key takeaways and milestones from the program’s first year:
1. Pilot programs can drive real results, even in a short timeframe
Since December 2024, the MFRI team has successfully completed programming at 3 properties, diverting an estimated 7,434 pounds of recyclable materials across 331 units. These pilots ran for 10-14 weeks at Sanford Housing Authority’s Mayflower Place & The Maples as well as the non-profit retirement community, Piper Shores. Program elements included weekly waste audits, signage installation in refuse areas, delivery of informational resources to residents & staff, and on-site presentations of recycling best practices.
In cases like The Maples and Mayflower Place, where recycling was not previously available, this pilot focused on education and material distribution ahead of infrastructure changes. Piper Shores followed a similar program, but with a focus on reducing contamination in their existing recycling system. Each pilot program remains flexible, shaped by the needs and conditions of each partner property.
2. Each Property Requires a Tailored Approach
Every property is unique, with its own opportunities and capacity for recycling. Partnerships with Piper Shores, Mayflower Place, and The Maples provided the MFRI team with valuable, real-world experience. Factors such as building layout and communication channels play a significant role in shaping refuse space, resident understanding, hauler coordination, and on-site infrastructure, all of which influence how convenient and effective recycling is for tenants.
MFRI works closely with each property through listening sessions and site visits with residents and staff. These insights, combined with the team’s experience, guide the development of customized, sustainable recycling programs.
3. Recycling is empowering to residents and staff.
Again and again, the MFRI team meets residents and property staff who are deeply committed to recycling and motivated to improve their buildings and neighborhoods. Providing simple and practical guidance, like breaking down cardboard, keeping recyclables loose (not bagged), and keeping plastic film and lithium-ion batteries out of recycling streams, sparks meaningful conversations and increased confidence around recycling. Programs that focus on best practices in multi-family housing not only increase awareness, but also lead to more efficient recycling systems and safer working conditions for collection crews.
The MFRI team continues to enroll new properties in the pilot program and building on lessons learned through each partnership. As this program grows, early insights help shape tools, resources, and approaches that reflect the realities of multi-family housing.
To stay up to date on the Multi-Family Recycling Initiative, subscribe to their newsletter here. If you’d like to connect with the team directly, you can reach them at multifamily@ecomaine.org. They look forward to leveling-up recycling across Maine by empowering multi-family residents.
