THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
CITY HALL
NEW YORK, NY 10007
http://council.nyc.gov
(212) 788-7116
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
July 29, 2010
Contact: 212-788-7116
Release# 084-2010
Please email photo requests to walatriste@council.nyc.gov
SUMMARY OF NEW RECYCLING LEGISLATION
Council votes on the first comprehensive recycling legislation since 1989
Expansion of Recyclable Materials and Recycling Programs
1. Expanded Plastic Recycling. Currently, the city only recycles plastics made of types 1 and 2. This is largely limited to air blown containers with narrow tops, such as soda and water bottles or milk jugs. As a result, a significant percentage of recyclable plastics items, are simply not recycled. The new legislation would require DOS to begin recycling all rigid plastic containers, including items such as yogurt tubs, take out containers, flower pots and medicine bottles. It takes 88% less energy to produce plastics from recycled materials than it does to produce new plastics, and this expansion would divert over 8,000 tons of plastic each year from landfills and incinerators. This component of the bill would take effect following the opening of a new recycling facility located in Brooklyn, which is scheduled to open in 2012.
2. Expanded Public Space Recycling. There are currently approximately 300 recycling bins at public spaces around the city. The new legislation would require DOS to site 200 new recycling bins over the next three years, and a total of 700 bins within the next ten years.
3. Household Hazardous Waste. The legislation would mandate at least one department-sponsored household hazardous waste collection event in each borough every year, with a long-term goal of increasing the number of events, or making such sites permanent.
4. Clothing and Textile Recycling. The new legislation would require DOS to establish a citywide textile collection program by placing deposit bins on city-owned and private property throughout the city.
5. Paint Recycling Pilot. The Council’s legislation would establish a voluntary manufacturer and retailer take-back program for unwanted household paint, which makes up about 50% of household hazardous waste.
Changes and Improvements to Existing Programs
1. Improved Recycling at City Schools. Would require every school within the Department of Education to designate a recycling coordinator and to provide recycling receptacles in each classroom and other locations such as entrances and lunch rooms. Similar requirements would also apply to non-DOE schools.
2. Improved Recycling at City Agencies. Would require each agency to designate a recycling coordinator and implement plans to increase recycling in all city-owned and city-run buildings.
3. Improvements in Leaf and Yard Waste Composting. Would extend DOS yard waste collection to include a spring, partial-summer, and fall collection beginning in two years, and requires the city to begin collecting yard waste for composting from NYCHA facilities.
4. Replaces Obsolete Tonnage Mandates. The original Local Law 19 set mandates requiring DOS to recycle a fixed number of tons of waste per year. These mandates were set at a time when the City produced substantially more waste than it does today and continuing reductions in the city’s waste stream have prevented the City from ever meeting the targets. The new legislation would replace this single vague mandate, with a series of more specific requirements and a more sensible methodology for calculating diversion rates. For example, instead of measuring recycling in sheer tons, which are likely to continue decreasing as the amount of waste decreases, it would establish a set of recycling percentage diversion goals. To assess the success of recycling more effectively, the bill would establish two different sets of recycling goals, one to calculate the recyclable material that DOS actually collects from the curbside, and a second to calculate all materials recycled from residences in the City, including e-waste, plastic bags and bottles returned for refund. If any of these goals are not met, DOS must first consult with Council to improve its recycling program. If the City fails to meet two consecutive goals, it will result in the appointment of an outside expert, to issue recommendations on how the City can meet future recycling goals.
Improved Enforcement, Outreach and Education
1. Makes Fine Structure Fairer for Small Property Owners. Historically, fines for improper recycling have been set at the same amount for large residential and commercial buildings as for single-family homes. This has caused homeowners to bear a disproportionate percentage of recycling fines. The new legislation would establish two tiers for fines – the first for residential buildings with 1-8 units, and the second for buildings with 9 or more units, as well as non-residential buildings.
2. Residential Recycling Guide. Requires DOS to create a guide to the residential recycling program, to be distributed and made available to the public.
3. Recycling Workshops. Would require DOS to provide trainings for owners and employees of buildings with 9 or more units that receive three tickets in one year.
New Reports and Studies
1. Study of Recycling-Related Industries and Jobs in NYC. Requires a study exploring recycling markets and opportunities to expand recycling facilities and recycling-related jobs in New York City.
2. Composting Study. Requires DOS to study methods for expanding capacity to compost residential and commercial food waste and to recommend measures for a subsequent pilot program.
3. Annual Recycling Report. Requires the Commissioner to issue an annual report detailing the recycling totals for all materials recycled under City and State law.
4. Commercial Recycling Study. Requires DOS to complete a commercial recycling study.
5. Follow-up Waste Characterization Studies. Requires DOS to conduct follow-up waste characterization studies in 2012 and 2018 and requires a comprehensive study by 2024.
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