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Q&A
Impact of suspending composting fines on waste diversion goals
0:42:43
·
83 sec
Commissioner Lojan discusses the shift from fines to education and outreach for the composting program, and its impact on waste diversion goals.
- Suspension of fines has not negatively impacted waste diversion goals
- DSNY shifted to an education and outreach model
- Conducted outreach to over 3,200 residences across the city
- Composting rates have continued to increase despite fine suspension
Shaun Abreu
0:42:43
I think it's not too hard to do that one.
0:42:46
Has the suspension of most composting fines, has it impacted the city's waste diversion goals?
0:42:52
And what financial implications does this have for future sustainability initiatives?
0:43:55
Do you find that the rate of composting has not changed whatsoever since the suspension of fire?
Javier Lojan
0:42:56
So I don't think it's impacted the goals.
0:43:01
What we shifted to was education and outreach model.
0:43:05
So what we've started doing was taking our existing field supervisors and having them focus on interaction.
0:43:12
So since the pause, we've conducted outreach to over 3,200 residences across the city.
0:43:19
And our goal is to speak to the homeowners or any of the residents in the home and, you know, inform them of the program and kind of get any feedback from them that they may have.
0:43:32
One of the biggest feedbacks that we've realized is that a lot of the residents think they need to have a specific bin, and we tell them that you can use any bin with 55 gallons or less with a tight fitting lid.
0:43:44
And if they have any, leaf and yard waste, they can just put that in a clear plastic bag or a paper bag.
0:43:50
So that's been really helpful.
0:43:52
A lot of people don't realize that they they can use any bin.
0:44:00
No.
0:44:00
Not at all.
0:44:01
If if anything, it's gone up.
0:44:02
So that's been very promising to see.
0:44:04
It's been pretty pretty consistently high.