metroSTOR US metroSTOR US

Philadelphia Housing Authority: a better waste and recycling model for multifamily housing

Home » Case Studies » Philadelphia Housing Authority: a better waste and recycling model for multifamily housing
Client:

Philadelphia Housing Authority

Location:

Raymond Rosen Houses, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Application:

Multifamily waste and recycling infrastructure

Product Solutions:

metroSTOR BD300

Waste had become a constant pressure on the site

At Raymond Rosen, one of Philadelphia Housing Authority’s largest family housing developments, waste had become a persistent site-management problem. Residents were placing household waste at roadside access points throughout the week, even though city collection only took place on set days. The result was repeated build-up, littering, and illegal dumping, especially around the perimeter.

That left maintenance teams stuck in a reactive cycle, clearing recurring hotspots instead of focusing on wider estate management. Earlier attempts to improve the situation had not created a workable long-term system, and recycling had little chance of functioning properly without secure, clearly designated collection points.

Why the previous setup was not working for residents or staff

Previous arrangements did not provide a stable way to contain waste within the development. Exposed dumping points and weak control around collection areas meant that waste problems kept returning, while residents were left without a clear and reliable system that matched how the site actually worked.

In a dense multifamily environment like this, that kind of weakness quickly affects the whole estate. Cleanliness drops, staff time is pulled into repeat clearing work, and the site becomes harder to manage well.

A more structured approach inside the development

In partnership with Philadelphia Housing Authority, metroSTOR introduced a more structured waste and recycling setup designed to bring control back into the site itself.

The strategy focused on creating secure, clearly marked collection points within the development where possible, reducing reliance on exposed roadside dumping areas and improving containment across the site. General waste and recycling enclosures were paired with city-compatible dumpsters and positioned to work with the layout of the development and the realities of collection.

The aim was straightforward: increase capacity, reduce misuse, improve hygiene, and create a more stable foundation for both waste and recycling.

Cleaner conditions and less reactive management

The benefits were visible quickly. Dumping hotspots were reduced, the site became cleaner, and residents gained easier access to clearly designated waste points that worked better with collection schedules.

Just as importantly, the new containerized setup helped shift staff effort away from constant waste clearance and toward more proactive site management. The infrastructure also supports mechanical emptying, making servicing more efficient and easier to manage over time.

A stronger starting point for recycling

The project did more than improve general waste control. It also created the conditions for recycling to function more credibly on the site.

Where there is no clear infrastructure, recycling tends to disappear behind more immediate waste pressures. At Raymond Rosen, secure and clearly marked recycling points gave the housing authority a more realistic starting point for better participation and longer-term improvement.

What this shows for multifamily housing providers

The Raymond Rosen project shows that persistent waste problems in large residential developments are often infrastructure problems before they are anything else.

When collection points are secure, visible, and properly integrated into the site, dumping can be reduced, cleanliness can improve, and operations become easier to manage. For housing providers, that makes waste infrastructure a practical part of site performance rather than a constant maintenance headache.

Looking at waste and recycling infrastructure across your housing portfolio?

We work with housing providers and public agencies to design infrastructure that improves cleanliness, reduces recurring waste problems, and supports more manageable long-term performance across shared residential environments.

talk to us
Explore multifamily application

Multifamily Containment Projects

See how the metroSTOR BD System has been deployed in high-volume shared environments where dumpster enclosure, misuse reduction, and long-term operational performance are critical. View all projects

A better waste and recycling model at Wagner Houses

Wagner Houses is a large NYCHA development in East Harlem, with high-rise residential towers and a dense resident population living across the site. Like many older multifamily developments

Improving waste control and organics capture

At Bunker Hill, Boston Housing Authority’s largest public housing development, the waste system was creating persistent cleanliness and rodent problems while also failing to support credible separation…