New York City Council
Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management
Sep 25, 2024
·
10:30 AM
1 hr 45 min
Summary
A hearing on waste diversion and recycling in New York City, discussing several bills related to textile recycling, e-bike battery disposal, reducing single-use plastics, and continuing waste characterization studies.
Discussions focused on:
- Improvements in organic waste diversion
- Challenges in enforcing commercial organic waste separation
- Progress on fleet electrification
- Recycling profitability
- The need for expanded textile recycling programs
The hearing highlighted ongoing efforts and challenges in New York City's push toward zero waste goals, emphasizing the importance of education and outreach in multiple languages.
Features testimony from the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Shaun Abreu opens the hearing with greetings and acknowledgments
Council Member Shaun Abreu opens the sanitation committee hearing by greeting attendees and acknowledging DSNY officials and other council members present. - Thanks sanitation committee members, DSNY Deputy Commissioner Joshua …
0:00:30
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33 sec
Moment of silence for sanitation worker Richard Errico
Council Member Shaun Abreu recognizes Richard Errico, a sanitation worker who died on the job, and calls for a moment of silence. - Richard Errico served as a sanitation worker …
0:01:03
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28 sec
Purpose of the hearing and importance of waste reduction in NYC
Council Member Shaun Abreu explains the purpose of the hearing is to discuss the city's work to reduce waste and emphasizes the importance of changing mindsets and habits to achieve …
0:01:45
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57 sec
Zero Waste Act and current waste characterization in NYC
Council Member Shaun Abreu discusses the Zero Waste Act and its implications for waste management in New York City. - The Zero Waste Act, passed last year, set the city's …
0:02:43
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43 sec
Food waste, insecurity, and organic recycling initiatives in NYC
Council Member Shaun Abreu highlights the issue of food waste in New York City and discusses the upcoming citywide organic waste recycling program. - Over 1 million New Yorkers experience …
0:03:26
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92 sec
Overview of legislation being discussed in the hearing
Council Member Shaun Abreu provides an overview of the four bills being discussed in the hearing. - Intro 256: Requires DSNY to study the feasibility of a mandatory household textile …
0:04:58
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66 sec
Closing remarks and handover to Sandy Nurse
Council Member Shaun Abreu concludes his opening statement and hands over to Sandy Nurse to discuss the bills before the committee. - Expresses anticipation for detailed information from the Department …
0:06:04
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23 sec
Council Member Sandy Nurse discusses e-bike battery disposal, single-use plastics, and waste characterization studies
Council Member Sandy Nurse addresses three main topics: the need for a network of e-bike battery disposal sites, a study on single-use plastics, and the importance of waste characterization studies. …
0:06:28
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3 min
Moment of silence for sanitation worker Richard Errico
Deputy Commissioner Joshua Goodman acknowledges the tragic loss of sanitation worker Richard Errico, a 19-year veteran who died in the line of duty. The department expresses gratitude for the city's …
0:10:54
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15 sec
Overview of New York City's waste management system
New York City manages 24 million pounds of waste daily, with most of it sent to waste-to-energy facilities or landfills outside the city. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is committed …
0:11:22
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53 sec
Commercial waste zone program and organic waste separation
DSNY is implementing a commercial waste zone program that provides financial incentives for businesses to divert recyclable and compostable waste. The department is also advocating for updates to commercial organic …
0:12:20
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45 sec
Expansion of composting in New York City public schools
The Adams administration has successfully expanded composting to all New York City public schools, significantly increasing the amount of food waste diverted from landfills and educating the next generation about …
0:13:06
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24 sec
Success and expansion of NYC's residential composting program
New York City's residential composting program has seen significant success, with increasing diversion rates for three consecutive years. The program is set to expand citywide, making it the largest and …
0:13:32
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106 sec
DSNY's response to Intro 256 on household textile recycling
DSNY supports the goal of textile waste diversion but believes the study mandated by Intro 256 is unnecessary at this time. The department is already studying textile diversion options and …
0:15:25
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47 sec
DSNY's stance on Intro 351 for rechargeable battery disposal
DSNY acknowledges the problem of rechargeable batteries causing fires in trucks and facilities. While the department already complies with some portions of the proposed law, full compliance would be costly …
0:16:13
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100 sec
DSNY's response to Intro 695 on single-use plastics study
DSNY believes that a new study on single-use plastics, as proposed in Intro 695, is premature. The department cites recent progress made through the SkipTheStuff Act and ongoing waste characterization …
0:17:54
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38 sec
DSNY's support for Intro 697 on waste characterization studies
DSNY expresses support for Intro 697, which mandates continued waste characterization studies. The department recognizes the importance of these studies in informing waste reduction and diversion efforts. - The bill …
0:18:33
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20 sec
DSNY's data collection and analysis of individual waste impact
Council Member Abreu inquires about DSNY's analysis of individual New Yorkers' impact on waste generation and landfill space. DSNY officials explain that while they collect data at the community board …
0:18:54
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84 sec
Implementation and challenges of the organic waste collection program
Council Member Abreu and DSNY officials discuss the implementation and challenges of the citywide organic waste collection program. They address concerns about low capture rates in Queens and Brooklyn, and …
0:20:18
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6 min
Enforcement strategies for residential organic recycling mandates
Council Member Abreu inquires about DSNY's plans for enforcing residential organic recycling mandates. DSNY officials explain their approach to enforcement, outreach efforts, and how they plan to handle non-compliance. - …
0:26:24
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7 min
Distribution and usage of brown bins for organic waste collection
Council Member Abreu and DSNY officials discuss the distribution of brown bins for organic waste collection, addressing concerns about delivery timelines and potential issues with landlord compliance. - Brown bin …
0:33:40
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4 min
Deployment and usage of smart bins for organic waste collection
Council Member Abreu inquires about the deployment and usage of smart bins for organic waste collection. DSNY officials provide details on the program's success and placement strategies. - Over 400 …
0:37:47
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146 sec
Plans for composting facilities and anaerobic digestion of organic waste
Council Member Abreu and DSNY officials discuss plans for composting facilities, anaerobic digestion, and the beneficial reuse of organic waste collected from residential sources. - DSNY aims to maximize beneficial …
0:40:14
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4 min
Food donation portal usage and potential improvements
Council Member Abreu inquires about the usage of the city's food donation portal and potential improvements to increase its effectiveness in facilitating food donations. - The donate NYC portal processed …
0:44:21
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130 sec
Street vendor enforcement and food seizure policies
Council Member Abreu questions DSNY officials about their involvement in street vendor enforcement and policies regarding food seizure and donation. - DSNY complies with local law requiring notification of food …
0:46:32
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128 sec
Availability and limits of organic waste bins
Council Member Chris Banks inquires about the availability and limits of organic waste bins. Deputy Commissioner Joshua Goodman explains that each address gets one free brown bin for composting, with …
0:48:42
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41 sec
Policies for handling waste bin theft and vandalism
Deputy Commissioner Joshua Goodman explains the Department of Sanitation's approach to dealing with potential theft or vandalism of waste bins. He emphasizes that bin theft is not a widespread issue …
0:49:24
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3 min
Electronic waste disposal program and accommodations for seniors and disabled residents
Council Member Chris Banks inquires about the electronic waste disposal program and accommodations for seniors and people with disabilities who may have difficulty accessing disposal sites. DSNY representatives explain the …
0:52:29
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110 sec
Council Member Carr questions DSNY about e-waste recycling programs in Staten Island
Council Member David Carr raises concerns about the lack of curbside e-waste pickup in Staten Island and emphasizes the need to restore this program. Deputy Commissioner Joshua Goodman acknowledges the …
0:54:22
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95 sec
Enforcement challenges for organic waste separation mandates
Council Member Shaun Abreu inquires about DSNY's methods for enforcing organic separation mandates, given that trash bags are opaque. Deputy Commissioner Joshua Goodman explains that while bags aren't transparent, there …
0:55:56
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52 sec
Challenges in enforcing commercial organic recycling regulations
Council Member Abreu questions DSNY about the enforcement of commercial organic waste recycling. Deputy Commissioner Goodman explains the difficulties in enforcement due to numerous loopholes and exemptions in the current …
0:56:50
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120 sec
Data on businesses subject to organic waste separation and violation rates
Council Member Abreu requests specific data on the number of businesses currently subject to organic waste separation requirements and the number of violations issued. Deputy Commissioner Goodman is unable to …
0:58:50
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15 sec
DSNY's enforcement processes and staffing for commercial organic recycling
Council Member Abreu presses for details on DSNY's enforcement processes, staffing, and resources dedicated to commercial organic recycling enforcement. Deputy Commissioner Goodman explains that while specific data is not immediately …
0:59:05
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175 sec
DSNY efficiency metrics and overtime costs from the Mayor's Management Report
Council Member Abreu inquires about DSNY efficiency metrics, particularly the 'dump on shift' rates and overtime costs reported in the Mayor's Management Report. Deputy Commissioner Goodman explains the 'dump on …
1:02:05
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4 min
Challenges and progress in DSNY fleet electrification efforts
Council Member Abreu asks about DSNY's progress in electrifying its fleet. Deputy Commissioner Goodman explains the department's efforts and challenges, particularly with heavy-duty collection trucks. - DSNY is making substantial …
1:06:09
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93 sec
DSNY's transition to renewable diesel for non-electric vehicles
Deputy Commissioner Goodman explains DSNY's transition to renewable diesel for vehicles that cannot be electrified, particularly heavy-duty collection trucks. - DSNY has completed a transition to 100% renewable diesel for …
1:07:41
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3 min
DSNY mechanic staffing levels and related overtime costs
Council Member Abreu inquires about DSNY's mechanic staffing levels, overtime costs, and hiring efforts. Deputy Commissioner Goodman acknowledges that specific data is not immediately available but commits to providing it …
1:11:03
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102 sec
DSNY's improved performance in missed collection rates and complaint handling
Council Member Abreu questions the discrepancy between DSNY's reported 0.0% missed collection rate and the complaints received by council members. Deputy Commissioner Goodman explains the department's significant improvements in this …
1:12:45
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6 min
Strategies to improve recycling profitability in New York City
Council Member Abreu asks about ways to make recycling more profitable, given the low revenue ($15 per ton) compared to the high cost ($779 per ton). Assistant Commissioner Jennifer McDonnell …
1:19:00
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118 sec
Effectiveness of plastic recycling and use of waste-to-energy in New York City
Council Member Abreu inquires about the effectiveness of plastic recycling and the use of waste-to-energy facilities. Deputy Commissioner Goodman acknowledges limitations in available data and explains DSNY's approach to waste-to-energy. …
1:21:01
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106 sec
Disposal of deconstructed outdoor dining sheds in New York City
Council Member Abreu asks about DSNY's involvement in collecting waste from deconstructed outdoor dining sheds. Deputy Commissioner Goodman explains the department's limited role in this process. - DSNY was involved …
1:22:47
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76 sec
Potential inclusion of commercial waste in NYC waste characterization studies
Council Member Abreu, on behalf of Councilwoman Nurse, inquires about the possibility of including commercial waste in waste characterization studies. DSNY officials explain the current situation and future possibilities. - …
1:24:05
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115 sec
Challenges and initiatives in textile waste recycling in New York City
Council Member Abreu, on behalf of Council Member Crystal Hudson, inquires about challenges and initiatives in textile waste recycling. DSNY officials explain current programs and potential future directions. - Textile …
1:26:01
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166 sec
Testimony by Jessica Schreiber, Founder and CEO of FABSCRAP, on Textile Recycling and Waste Management
Jessica Schreiber, founder and CEO of FABSCRAP, testified in support of a bill requiring DSNY to study the feasibility of mandatory household textile recycling. She highlighted the significant amount of …
1:31:56
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3 min
Testimony by Madeleine MacGillivray, Climate Justice Director at Seeding Sovereignty, on Textile Recycling
Madeleine MacGillivray testified in support of Intro 256, emphasizing the need for expanded textile recycling in New York City. She highlighted the potential benefits of a mandatory textile recycling program, …
1:35:24
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150 sec
Testimony by Christopher Leon Johnson, Member of the Public, on E-Bike Battery Storage and Education
Christopher Leon Johnson testified in support of a bill requiring proper storage of e-bike batteries, emphasizing the need for multilingual education targeting delivery workers. He stressed the importance of outreach …
1:37:58
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3 min
Testimony by Mary Arnold, Representative of Solid Waste Advisory Board on Waste Composition Studies
Mary Arnold, representing the Solid Waste Advisory Boards of several NYC boroughs, strongly supports the passage of Intro 697, which would amend Local Law 40 of 2010 regarding waste composition …
1:41:24
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120 sec
Testimony by Ulrike Nischan, Representative of Solid Waste Advisory Board on Reducing Single-Use Plastics
Ulrike Nischan, representing the Solid Waste Advisory Board, testified in support of Intro 695, which proposes a study on reducing single-use plastic items and advancing environmental justice. She highlighted NYC's …
1:43:38
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111 sec
