Q&A
DSNY's enforcement processes and staffing for commercial organic recycling
0:59:05
·
175 sec
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 available, DSNY has enforcement staff focused on commercial violations. He emphasizes that simplifying regulations would greatly improve enforcement capabilities.
- DSNY has dedicated enforcement staff for commercial violations, but specific numbers are not immediately available
- Enforcement can take place at any hour of the day, primarily in commercial corridors
- DSNY argues that simplifying regulations would significantly enhance their ability to enforce organic recycling requirements
Shaun Abreu
0:59:05
I mean, it's important for us to know that information because as the agency seeks to expand its enforcement authorities on all commercial businesses.
0:59:15
What good would it be without us having that information?
0:59:17
And what your current inspection is like?
0:59:19
Are you dedicating resources to enforcement?
0:59:22
How many staffers?
0:59:23
Is this some this is something that I know that every in every hearing so far, the last 3 or 4 may be, I don't wanna be exact.
0:59:31
The commissioner has spoken about wanting to expand this power, but I'm not getting information on what that in what what that enforcement currently looks like.
Joshua Goodman
0:59:38
We can get that to you.
0:59:39
I do wanna emphasize that one of the reasons that we want the law expanded is because it will make enforcement simpler.
0:59:44
I mean, think about, for example, if I can just give an example from another one of our programs before the set out time change.
0:59:51
Businesses could put out their trash an hour before close.
0:59:55
And it let them completely escape enforcement by going, oh, yeah, we're closing early today.
0:59:59
Like, what it meant there was, like, no way to know.
1:00:02
And so right now, the commercial organics lie is so full of holes.
1:00:05
That there are some that we know.
1:00:07
Yeah.
1:00:07
There are some that we know have to comply, and we do enforcement.
1:00:10
And there's some where it's so easy for them to go, oh, no.
1:00:12
I don't have 7 chairs.
1:00:13
I I only have 6, you know, and the other chairs like in the back, I mean, it beamed over.
1:00:17
You know?
1:00:18
So really eliminating those loopholes will will drastically improve our enforcement ability.
1:00:23
And that's we can get you the existing number, but I do just wanna emphasize that a change in the law will fundamentally change the nature of the enforcement
Shaun Abreu
1:00:30
Alright.
1:00:30
I'm gonna still ask these remaining questions on this issue just so that it's on the record and so that we can get those documents.
1:00:39
What is the process by which the SNY detects a a potential violation for these commercial businesses that are subject to the source separation requirement.
Joshua Goodman
1:00:48
We have enforcement staff who focus on commercial violations.
Shaun Abreu
1:00:52
When does commercial organics enforcement take place?
Joshua Goodman
1:00:56
It can take place at any hour of the day.
1:00:58
We have enforcement I don't believe it is one of the requirements that's only limited to the 2 routing times per day because any if the waste is set out, it can be observed.
Shaun Abreu
1:01:09
Which areas of the city are most often covered by organics enforcement officers?
Joshua Goodman
1:01:14
Well, yeah, we it would primarily be commercial corridors, but we can see if there's any specific trends.
Shaun Abreu
1:01:24
How many violations related to commercial organics recycling the DSNY issue in fiscal year 24, you say you will get that for us.
1:01:31
You will get that for you.
1:01:32
What percent of the violations related to commercial organic recycling issued have been given to repeat offenders?
Joshua Goodman
1:01:39
It's a good question.
1:01:39
We can look into that.
Shaun Abreu
1:01:40
Yeah.
1:01:41
When does when DSNY notices that a business is a repeat offender, does DSNY do any additional work to speak with the business to provide education?
Joshua Goodman
1:01:51
Right.
1:01:51
We do often encourage repeat offenders on all violations to attend infosessions, but I'll see if we have anything specific to add.
1:02:00
Okay.
