Joshua Goodman
0:13:32
On the residential side, the FY 2024 Merus Management report reported the 3rd straight year in which the diversion rate increased.
0:13:39
That means that the total share of waste kept out of landfills and waste to energy facilities is up every year thus far under this administration.
0:13:47
Again, every year under this administration, the diversion rate for waste has increased.
0:13:52
The MMR also showed an incredible data point with the overall diversion.
0:13:56
The amount of compostable materials saved from landfill has increased 65% over the last 2 years to an astounding £260,000,000.
0:14:05
This is because New York City is now home to the largest, easiest to use curbside composting program ever, a program that goes citywide in less than 2 weeks.
0:14:13
The culmination of more than a decade of advocacy and policy development, including by many people in the room today.
0:14:18
This is a vindication of simple, customer forward programs for waste diversion.
0:14:23
It is all too easy for those of us who care deeply about waste diversion and environmental justice to forget that whether right or wrong, it is not always a top of mind for busy, hardworking New Yorkers.
0:14:33
Everyone wants to do the right thing, but it has to be easy.
0:14:37
And we've taken steps through policy design and through the use of new technologies to make it easy.
0:14:42
So please, recycle or compost your pizza box.
0:14:45
Don't worry that it has a little grease on it.
0:14:47
We will take care of it.
0:14:48
Recycle the peanut butter jar.
0:14:50
Don't worry that there's still some peanut butter residue left inside.
0:14:53
We will take care of it.
0:14:54
Recycle that plastic container regardless of what number is on the bottom.
0:14:58
We will take care of it on our end.
0:15:00
When you put your compost bin out on your recycling day, Feel free to line it with a clear plastic bag if you want to.
0:15:05
We will take care of that too.
0:15:08
Complicated rules, sign up requirements, restrictions, exceptions.
0:15:11
All of that makes it more likely that reusable or recyclable material just goes in the trash.
0:15:17
And wouldn't that be a shame.
