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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Matthew Civello, Chair of Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board
3:17:30
ยท
152 sec
Matthew Civello, representing all four solid waste advisory boards, addresses the New York City Council on the transition from the 2006 to the 2027 solid waste management plan. He emphasizes the importance of public input and proper funding for the new plan, highlighting key areas for improvement in waste management.
- Stresses the need to focus on how money is spent, not just how much
- Highlights that 80% of residential waste is exported to landfills and incineration, with organics making up 40% of this waste
- Advocates for funding community composting networks and considering Intro 696 to realize the full benefits of composting
- Recommends addressing textiles (5% of exported waste) through Intro February for local reuse and recycling infrastructure
Matthew Civello
3:17:30
Hi.
3:17:31
I'm, Matthew Savello, chair of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board, and I am delivering this testimony on behalf of all four solid waste advisory boards.
3:17:40
Chair Abreu and members of this committee, thank you for holding today's, hearing.
3:17:45
The budget hearing this budget hearing comes at a propitious moment as we transition from the city's 02/2006 to the 02/1927 solid waste management plan.
3:17:56
We would stress, how important it is that public input into this plan be taken seriously and that this program this, plan is properly funded.
3:18:06
After three decades of diversion efforts, the takeaway is clear.
3:18:09
It is not just how much we spend, but how we decide to spend it.
3:18:14
Today, 80% of roughly 2,800,000 tons of residential waste is exported to landfill and incineration annually at a projected 2026 cost of $500,000,000 Organics make up about 40% of exported waste after the 4% that we've captured for diversion.
3:18:32
Local law 85 mandates source separation, but we must find we must fund New York City's community composting network and give Intro six nine six serious consideration to realize compost's full environmental, social, and fiscal benefits because food scraps separated and collected are not compost until they're composted.
3:18:55
Textiles are 5% of exported waste, and Intro February would have studied the recycling mandate to expand local textile reuse and recycling infrastructure.
3:19:04
If we solve for organics and textiles, we are 50% closer to zero waste to landfill and incineration.
3:19:11
Recently enacted Intro six ninety seven that requires the DSOI to continue waste characterization studies over the next five years should include pilot data on reuse and prevention, testing and monitoring drinking water for the presence of microplastics.
3:19:27
An idea proposed in intro seven nine seven of 20 20 two requires a revisit.
3:19:31
The data would help would help manage one of the most troublesome parts of our waste stream.
3:19:37
All of this hinges on funding, outreach, education, ensuring residents fully participate in recycling and composting so we can reduce our reliance on waste export as called for in the city's 02/2006 solid waste management plan.
3:19:51
You'll hear more testimony today from other SWAB members, I suspect online, providing more detail on some of these ideas.
3:19:59
Once again, thank you for the opportunity to provide this testimony to you today.
Shaun Abreu
3:20:02
Thank you Matt.