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By Cole Rosengren

New York City’s commercial waste market is preparing for a major new zone system that will reset competition for decades. A long-awaited city council hearing this week left council members and industry participants with multiple unresolved questions about what’s next.

The city’s Department of Sanitation recently awarded contracts for companies in 20 non-exclusive zones, plus citywide contracts for containerized compactor service. The goal of these agreements is to reduce vehicle miles traveled, standardize service, increase recycling rates and improve safety, among other categories.

Council Member Shaun Abreu, chair of the committee, asked BIC why the agency kept the company in contention. Commissioner Liz Crotty said revoking a license for any company is rare. It has only happened four times in prior years, versus 150 license denials. Cogent’s license is currently up for a periodic renewal.