Sample Resolution on Waste Collection Arrangements

Why Should Waste Arrangements Be Resolved?

Waste is among the most frequent everyday disputes in apartment buildings. Bags left outside doors, odours, mess around bins and collection times all generate constant argument.

Without a written rule the management cannot intervene, and any warning it gives prompts arguments about whose rule it is. Setting the arrangements by assembly resolution makes both implementation and enforcement possible.

What the Resolution Should Cover

• Where waste is to be placed (bin, refuse room, designated point)
• The time window for placing it out and municipal collection days
• The requirement that bags be sealed and leak-proof
• Recycling separation: paper, plastic, glass, metal
• A prohibition on leaving waste outside doors
• Procedure for bulky waste (furniture, appliances, construction debris)
• What action is taken against those who break the rules

Bulky waste should be covered as a separate heading. Renovation debris left in the bin is not collected by the municipality and blocks the common area for a long time.

Recycling Practice

Separation of recyclable waste in residential buildings is being expanded. Keeping separate collection containers in the building supports both regulatory compliance and access to municipal services.

The location of the containers, the emptying frequency and who is responsible should be stated in the resolution. For the practice to endure, residents must be informed and the containers kept in a visible place.

Copyable Assembly Resolution Sample

……………………… APARTMENT / COMPLEX

GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION

Resolution No: ……    Date: …/…/20…

Agenda item: Setting the waste collection arrangements.

RESOLVED: In order to maintain communal order and prevent odour and pest problems, the following waste arrangements shall apply in our building.

1. WHERE WASTE IS PLACED
Household waste shall be placed in the ……………………… (basement refuse room / bin at the building entrance / …………). Leaving waste outside doors, on landings or in corridors is prohibited.

2. TIMES
Waste shall be placed out daily between ……:…… and ……:……. Municipal collection days: ……………….

3. BAG RULE
Waste shall be placed in sealed, leak-proof bags. Cleaning costs arising from waste left in open bags or boxes shall be charged to the resident concerned.

4. RECYCLING
Separate containers for ……………………… (paper / plastic / glass / metal) shall be kept at the building entrance. Recyclable waste shall be placed in these containers, which shall be emptied by ……………….

5. BULKY WASTE
Furniture, appliances and similar bulky items may not be placed in the bin. The resident concerned shall arrange collection with the municipality and keep the item in their own unit until the collection day.

6. CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS
A resident carrying out renovation work shall remove the debris at their own arrangement and expense. Debris left in common areas shall be removed by the management and the cost charged to the resident concerned.

7. ENFORCEMENT
A resident breaching the rules shall first receive a written warning. On repetition, cleaning costs shall be charged as a common expense and the matter taken to the general assembly.

This resolution binds all owners and occupants and shall be communicated in writing.

The resolution was adopted with ……… votes in favour and ……… against.

Chair ……………… Signature    Secretary ……………… Signature

Copyable Warning Notice Sample

……………………… APARTMENT / COMPLEX MANAGEMENT

WASTE ARRANGEMENTS WARNING NOTICE

Date: …/…/20…

Dear Occupant of Unit No. ……,

The waste arrangements adopted by the general assembly resolution dated …/…/20… have been communicated to all residents.

However, on …/…/20… it was observed that ……………………… (a waste bag was left outside your door / waste was left in an open bag causing leakage / bulky waste was left beside the bin / renovation debris was left in a common area).

This causes odour and pest problems in common areas and disturbs other residents.

Under the resolution, waste must be placed in the ……………………… between ……:…… and ……:…… in sealed bags.

We ask that this practice cease; otherwise any cleaning costs incurred will be charged to you and the matter will be taken to the general assembly.

Thank you for your understanding.

……………………… Apartment/Complex Management

Manager: ……………… (Full Name) — Signature

RECEIVED BY: ……………… — Signature — Date: …/…/20…

Filling Guide

State the time window and location concretely. Wording such as "in the evening" or "in a suitable place" gets reinterpreted in every dispute.

Include the cost sanction in the resolution. Rules providing only for warnings prove ineffective in practice.

Communicate the resolution in writing to every unit. Posting it on the noticeboard alone invites the defence "I did not know".

Problems Encountered in Practice

Leaving bags outside doors is the most frequent complaint. It also narrows the escape route and therefore creates a fire safety problem.

Where the area around the bin becomes dirty, cleaning costs fall on the common budget. If the responsible resident can be identified, the cost should be charged to them; dated photographs and a record are needed for that.

Common Mistakes

• Warning without a rule: a warning with no basis is not taken seriously.
• Tolerating bags outside doors: both a hygiene and a fire safety problem.
• Not regulating bulky waste: the bin is blocked for long periods.
• Not assigning debris responsibility: renovation debris ends up on the common budget.
• Ignoring recycling containers: the habit of separating waste never takes hold.

This content and these templates are for information only and are examples. Waste collection procedures vary by municipality; confirm local practice with your municipality.