CAI-NJ Apr. 2022

SPRING GREENING... from page 34.

gram for recycling grocery, bread, and sandwich bags as well as other thin plastics. If a community collects more than 500 pounds in a six-month span, Trex ® will donate a composite bench. TerraCycle offers a wide variety of free recycling options including programs for water filters, oral care products, hair care and many other brand-specific items. For a fee, TerraCycle also offers Zero Waste Boxes ™ in which communities can collect a mix of items that the company will later separate and recycle. Another option is for condominiums and HOAs to host a used-clothing drive for Re-Purpose NJ. Switch to More Eco-Friendly Landscaping Practices Community Associations can ask their landscaping pro viders to implement more eco-friendly practices such as incorporating native and drought-resistant plants, switching to water-efficient irrigation systems, and/or initiating com munity composting. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is another environmentally-sound practice that minimizes pes ticide and fertilizer inputs while still addressing landscaping needs.

Go Paperless Reducing paper usage is an easy-to-implement green practice that condominiums and HOAs can immedi ately adopt. Governing documents, financial reports, and administrative forms can be uploaded onto an association’s website so that homeowners and board members can access them digitally. Meeting agendas, newsletters, bills, and official announcements can all be distributed quickly via e-mail, text, or social media. For less tech-savvy residents, communities can still offer a lim ited number of physical copies. Going paperless (even partially) will not only save trees, but can also help save money, time, and space. Initiate Community Recycling Programs In addition to the standard curbside paper/cardboard and glass/can pick-up programs, there are many oppor tunities for condominiums and HOAs to collectively gather and recycle other items. For example, Trex ® offers a pro

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