Connected by shared values and a desire to foster a local environmental solution to New York City’s Zero Waste movement, two of the most reputable recycling and waste hauling companies in Queens, NY, are joining forces for the NYC Commercial Waste Zone (CWZ) RFP. Boro-Wide Recycling Corp. based in Maspeth (BWR) and Mr. T Carting, Corp. (MRT) based in Glendale (predecessor companies) will merge and move forward as Boro-Wide Recycling. Together, the predecessor companies have more than a century of combined solid waste management experience.
This partnership is a natural one, as the two predecessor companies have occasionally joined forces to navigate the highly competitive waste management industry in New York City. Coincidentally, BWR was one of MRT’s first customers at its MSW transfer station (Hi-Tech Resource Recovery) when it opened in the late 1980s. “Our companies have a long history of working together and a longer history of servicing customers in New York City. We’re proud to combine our efforts to submit a bid in response to the CWZ RFP,” said Tom Toscano, Esq MBA, President of Mr. T Carting, Corp.
As a result of the merger, the new company’s MRF located in Maspeth will become the largest commercial recycling plant in Queens, with the capacity to process approximately 150,000 tons of mixed recycling annually. The merger will also transform their Brooklyn-based solid waste transfer station into an Organics Recycling Facility (ORF) capable of processing 90,000 tons per year to accept food waste for composting or anaerobic digestion. This conversion will expand New York City’s capacity to divert organic materials. MRT has been collecting food waste for over 16 years—long before it was popularized—and diverted nearly 36% of their clients’ waste through recycling and composting in 2021.
Together, the predecessor companies have experienced embracing aggressive environmental goals through waste diversion and working with their clients to explore a pathway to Zero Waste. “Boro-Wide is committed to building a zero-waste future in New York City, and we believe Mr. T Carting shares that goal. We’re excited to work with them and the City to usher in the next era of sustainability,” said Bob Cristina, President and CEO of Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.
BWR’s commitment to waste diversion has been exemplified by its long-standing partnership with the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) earned the 2019 Environmental Leader Award from the Green Sports Alliance due to BWR’s work establishing the US Open as a Zero-Waste event.
Another factor that will make for an easy merger is a shared adoption of state-of-the-art technology. Their collection fleets use advanced technologies such as route optimization and onboard truck scales to provide right-pricing by weight accurately. The predecessor companies also actively use collision avoidance technology and 5-way cameras to increase the safety of their fleet by scanning for pedestrian and vehicular activity. The two companies have implemented tools to support customer service requests on their websites, such as live multi-lingual chat and a plug-in that directs customers on how to dispose of or recycle their items properly.
Community investment and involvement have also long been priorities for the two predecessor companies. Together, they will expand this intention. Staff members are active members of Boards of Directors for local and regional organizations. These organizations include Queens Solid Waste Advisory Board, Queens Center for Progress, Queens Chamber of Commerce, BIC Trade Waste Advisory Board, Earthworm, Inc., and the Solid Waste Association of North America. The company’s Safety Manager, Paul Zambrotta — who co-authored the Business Integrity
Commission’s Trade Waste Safety Manual in 2018 — will continue to serve as the Safety Ambassador for the NY Chapter of SWANA.
In addition to its investment in the community, Boro-Wide Recycling will invest in personnel through continued professional education and certifications:
- As required, drivers and helpers will continue to receive bystander, CPR, First Aid, Fire Safety, and Cultural Sensitivity training and stay current with their DOT medical cards.
- Company staff that oversees auditing will pursue TRUE Advisor® certifications.
- Operations and maintenance staff will stay current with their industry credentials (e.g., OSHA, welding, fire safety).
- Human Resources team members will keep up to date on their Professional of Human Resources (PHR) certifications.
As the predecessor companies, Mr. T Carting, Corp. and Boro- Wide Recycling Corp., come together to do business as Boro- Wide Recycling, several aspects of the 3rd generation family- managed businesses will remain top of mind: safety, efficiency, equality, and continued investment in technology and its people. They will ensure that their collection vehicles and facilities operate safely and with respect for their neighbors, local solid waste laws, and the environment. Boro-Wide Recycling will continue the predecessor companies’ efforts as a first-rate solid waste hauler supported by a larger team that will provide a higher level of service for its customers.