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TESTIMONY

Austin Aracino, Laid-off Community Composter, on the Impacts of NYC's Composting Program Shutdown

7:02:35

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Aracino testifies about the loss of composting services due to the shutdown of GrowNYC's compost program.

He worked as a driver and coordinator, collecting food scraps and educating the public across NYC's 5 boroughs.
He highlights the need for consistent, convenient access to composting programs to build new habits.
With the program's closure, many residents voice confusion and outrage over how to continue composting habits.
Orange composting bins are often full or inaccessible, especially for elderly participants without smartphone access.

Austin Aracino

7:02:35

Good afternoon.

7:02:36

My name is Austin Aracina.

7:02:38

Thank you guys again for the time to speak.

7:02:43

I was a driver and coordinator for growing YC's compost program.

7:02:46

It's unfortunate to be back here again after the initial budget cuts in December.

7:02:51

And after most most of us here have just lost their jobs, I've served New York City residents in all the five boroughs for 2 years collecting food scraps maintaining compost facilities and educating the public on the benefits of composting organic waste.

7:03:05

Over those 2 years, it's become very clear that any lapse in service or drastic change in the community composting service goes against the goal of this administration's goal to separate food scraps from mainstream waste.

7:03:20

People need convenience, consistency, and accessibility to build a new habit, and for most New Yorkers separating food from regular trash is a very new habit.

7:03:30

If this city truly wants the curbside compost program to succeed, that needs to be consistent, convenient, and reliable access to the program.

7:03:39

However, currently, there's a very large gap in service now that the Grow NYC's Compro's program has officially been shut down.

7:03:46

At almost every food scrap drop off site that I've worked at the past couple of weeks, participants are outraged at the closure and voice their confusion on how to continue their habit.

7:03:56

For those who are not in a building or area with DSNY curbside pickup, The only other option they would have is the orange bins, automatic orange bins scattered around the city.

7:04:07

However, oftentimes, these bins are filled full or inaccessible to many in the city.

7:04:12

In particular, our older demographic or participants have voiced their inability to access the Orange bins because of the technical barrier of the bins pose.

7:04:20

Without a phone app and cellular service, there's no way to use these orange bins.

7:04:27

And that is a major problem for continuing the compost program if that's the goal of this administration.

7:04:33

Thank you very much.

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