The PA Resources Council Thursday launched a recycling initiative in Pittsburgh aimed at significantly increasing recycling rates in apartment buildings through a variety of hands-on tactics to include expanded tenant education and more convenient recycling procedures.

The Mackey Lofts located in Uptown Pittsburgh – a former biscuit factory converted into 43 apartment units – is the first of 15 complexes in Allegheny County to participate in this PRC pilot program funded by Alcoa Foundation.

“We’re focusing on a very simple message that every person, every household and every family has the potential to keep a tremendous amount of trash out of local landfills,” according to PRC Regional Director Justin Stockdale.  “The EPA estimates that the average American produces 4.4 pounds of waste each day – and 50 percent of this waste is readily recyclable.  These statistics mean that the residents of the Mackey Lofts have the potential to keep 35,000 pounds of waste from entering landfills each and every year.”

Following the installation of new collection bins in apartments, hallways and laundry rooms, PRC staff will post signage featuring bold graphics and bright imagery throughout the six-story building.  Residents of Mackey Lofts will gather on January 29 to receive a printed “Recycling Resources” guide and hear step-by-step details about the building’s updated recycling procedures for collecting metal, plastic, glass, paper and cardboard.

“To guarantee the success of the program, we’re making recycling extremely convenient and we’re making sure we tell our residents exactly how they can take part,” says Nancy J. Alauzen, Social Services Coordinator/Resident Sustainability Educator.   “From a business standpoint, we will save on landfill fees and reduce costs associated with sorting contaminated loads.  It’s definitely a program we hope to replicate at other ACTION-Housing Inc. properties in the region.”

Wesley Wright, president of the Mackey Lofts Resident Council, explains, “At Mackey Lofts we are committed to the green movement sweeping across America, and we are proud to be considered a green building by focusing on energy efficiency and utilizing geothermal energy.  Recycling was an obvious next step in our growth, and with the help of Pennsylvania Resources Council, this has become a reality.”

For more information on recycling, visit the PA Resources Council website or call 412-488-7490 ext. 105.

2/2/2015