City recycling law not enforced

Describing the enforcement of Philadelphia's recycling law as toothless may be generous. "We have no personnel, no inspectors and no hope for either for quite a while," said Tom Klein, the director for education and promotions in the city's Recycling Office. Among the city's top officials, recycling simply isn't a priority for already scarce dollars, Klein said. The dearth of enforcement certainly has not been lost on University area recycling activists. Nick Sanders, coordinator for the Spruce Hill Recycling Group, said the city's three-year-old mandatory recycling law is not being enforced and it is going to be some time before it is. According to Klein, the recycling law requires landlords of residential buildings with seven or more units to contract private haulers to recycle their trash. The city services residences with six units or fewer. Students living off campus say the law has not facilitated their recycling efforts. "It's ridiculous," said College senior Lala Mykula. "I put all my recyclables in piles and take them to work where I'm sure they'll be recycled." A Law student who requested anonymity said she wants to recycle, but her complex, 2400 Chestnut Street Apartments, doesn't offer a recycling program. 2400 Chestnut doesn't have a recycling program, according to Marilyn Lipken, the building's rental manager. But she said that the management of the building, which houses about 550 students, is "working on it." College sophomore Keri McCann also said she wants to recycle, but her building, Hamilton Court, at 39th and Chestnut Streets, doesn't have a program either. Dave Mendell of University City Housing, which owns the 104-unit building, said he doesn't know of any recycling program at Hamilton Court. "The problem is that many landlords are waiting for the city to recycle their trash," said Klein of the city's Recycling Office. "Under the law, it is not our responsibility." Klein said the city has sent apartment building managers information on how to recycle their trash, saying "we've done our part, now it's their turn." Klein added that until mandatory recycling is enforced, recyclers can participate in community corner pickup programs or transport their recyclables on their own. "The enforcement of this law is going to be a matter of public pressure, tenant pressure, and the attitudes of landlords citywide," he said. Some off-campus housing complexes have hired commercial recyclers. Joyce Prentis, property manager for Alan Klein Properties, said their two largest properties have hired private haulers to recycle their trash. These include the 143-unit Fairfax Apartments at 43rd and Locust Streets and the 234-unit Garden Court Plaza at 4701 Pine Street.

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