Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Stevie Masonette, Senior in Marine Affairs Program at New York Harbor School, on Community Composting and Waste Management
2:40:21
ยท
112 sec
Stevie Masonette, a senior at New York Harbor School, testifies in support of continued funding for community composting programs in New York City. She emphasizes the importance of combining municipal waste management with community composting to effectively manage solid waste throughout the city, particularly in underserved areas.
- Highlights the lack of composting facilities in areas like the Lower East Side and NYCHA complexes
- Argues for the educational value of community composting programs, especially for residents without access to resources on effective composting and waste sorting
- Stresses the need for a balance between large-scale municipal efforts (like smart bins and brown bins) and smaller, community-based composting sites for accessibility and education
High School Senior
2:40:21
And solid waste management.
2:40:23
Thank you.
2:40:23
My name is Stevie Masonette and I am a senior in the marine affairs program at New York Harbor School.
2:40:28
As you may recall, I was here the previous year to testify against the community compost cuts.
2:40:34
Hearing that funding has been restored is incredible news and is something I and everyone else testifying today are extremely grateful for.
2:40:41
However, it is important to ensure that this community compost funding continues to combat waste in New York City.
2:40:47
Having a combination of municipal waste management and community composting will effectively manage solid waste throughout our city.
2:40:53
For example, municipal waste management is not accessible to all areas of the five boroughs.
2:40:59
In the Lower East Side Of Manhattan specifically, there are barely any composting facilities or drop off sites available.
2:41:05
Additionally, within NYCHA apartment complexes, brown bins and smart bins are not available.
2:41:11
There are usually heaps of garbage lying about unmanaged, unsorted, and vastly unsustainable.
2:41:16
The USDA's initiative to create a greener space for nitrate housing is under effect but certainly not enough.
2:41:21
And what trumps cuts, especially with climate change and the environment, this may be next.
2:41:25
So the question is, really, how would we as a city combat that?
2:41:29
Well, I'm sure community composting and municipal waste management could be a healthy start.
2:41:33
Smart bins and brown bins can help reduce waste and can tackle waste management on a city level, but there needs to be a balance of education, outreach, stewardship.
2:41:41
This is where community composting can come in.
2:41:43
Smaller scale community based sites that can easily be placed in various areas that are accessible to all.
2:41:49
Specifically, this could be extremely beneficial to NYCHA residents like myself who do not have access to educational resources on how to effectively compost and sort your waste.
2:41:58
This is something that many places throughout the city, such as the Upper West Side and Fort Grant, have plenty of access to.
2:42:03
It's what we on the Lower East Side and beyond deserve.
2:42:06
Thank you for all that you've done, but this is just the beginning.
2:42:09
Thank you so much for listening to my testimony.
2:42:12
I look forward to hearing from you.