PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Alia Soomro, Deputy Director for NYC Policy at New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV)
2:55:35
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140 sec
Alia Soomro from the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) testified in support of waste containerization efforts in NYC, emphasizing its environmental and quality of life benefits. She expressed NYLCV's support for several pieces of legislation related to waste management and organics collection.
- NYLCV supports DSNY's proposed rules for a waste containerization pilot program in Manhattan Community Board 9
- The organization hopes for a future comprehensive containerization program that includes trash, recyclables, and organic waste
- NYLCV supports Intro 781, requiring city agencies to separate organic waste, and the intent of Intro 498, Intro 2744, and Intro 2746
Alia Soomro
2:55:35
Good afternoon.
2:55:36
My name is Ali Asumro, and I'm the deputy director for New York City policy at the New York League of Conservation Voters.
2:55:42
Thank you, chairs of Breu and Juan, and members of the committees on sanitation and contracts for the opportunity to testify today.
2:55:49
NYLCV has supported moving the city towards waste containerization and is excited to see DSNY's proposed rules for a pilot program in Manhattan Community 9, especially since similar programs have been long established in global cities such as Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam.
2:56:06
Waste containerization is important not only from a climate and environmental justice perspective, but also for improving New York City residents' quality of life.
2:56:14
Containerization will reduce litter on the ground, the mounds of plastic trash bags on our sidewalks, and it will reduce the rat population.
2:56:22
Waste containerization also has the potential to revitalize our city street scapes and sidewalks for public use.
2:56:29
With that said, NYLCV hopes that that DSNY can one day move towards a comprehensive containerization program that includes trash, recyclables, and organic waste to include increase diversion rates.
2:56:42
As the DSNY pilot program progresses, we underscore the need for long term funding for automated side loading trucks and containers.
2:56:50
In the future, NYLCV hopes the city learns from the pilot program in CB 9 to implement and fully fund a permanent city wide waste containerization program.
2:57:00
In terms of the legislation being considered today, NYLCV supports intro 781.
2:57:05
We are very happy to see the residential curbside organics program rolling out in all 5 boroughs.
2:57:11
With this bill, city agencies can lead by example by requiring organic waste as recyclable material and help us move closer to our 0 waste by 2030 mandate.
2:57:22
Similarly, we support the intent of intro 4, 98 sponsored by council member Abreu requiring DSNY to collect organic waste from community community gardens.
2:57:32
Ultimately, we think community gardens
Julie Won
2:57:35
Thank you.
Shaun Abreu
2:57:35
Your time should expire.
Alia Soomro
2:57:36
Organic waste should become part of the residential organics pickup.
2:57:40
And then just to close out, we support the intent of the 2 pre considered bills, 2744 and 2746.
2:57:48
Ultimately, we wanna invest and improve our streetscapes, and waste containerization is the way to go.
Joshua Goodman
2:57:53
Thank you all.
Alia Soomro
2:57:53
For the opportunity to speak.
