On Tuesday, a City Council committee green-lighted a controversial Mayor de Blasio-backed bill that will overhaul the commercial waste-collection industry in New York. The legislation, approved 6-2 by the Sanitation Committee, would divide the city into at least 20 zones with up to three private carters selected through a bidding process to serve each zone.
The bill appears to have more than enough support to be approved at Wednesday’s council meeting. Councilman Antonio Reynoso (D-Brooklyn), who chairs the committee and sponsored the bill, said, “Communities across the city with benefit from reduced traffic …,” Reynoso said. “Businesses will have transparent pricing and reliable service, and workers will no longer be forced to put themselves and the public in danger to complete their routes.”
Under the existing system, about 90 companies collect 3 million tons of trash and recycling debris yearly, based on individual agreements with 100,000 businesses and buildings. Reynoso and other bill supporters say the plan would cut hauling-truck traffic in half, reducing the environmental impacts and dangers of trash pickups.
To read the full story, visit https://nypost.com/2019/10/29/city-council-set-to-overhaul-the-private-waste-collection-industry/.
Statement by New Yorkers for Responsible Waste Management On the Adoption of Intro 1574-A – the Commercial Waste Zones Bill By the Council of the City of New York
“Today’s City Council vote (on Intro 1574-A) – without a single public hearing – ensures that “private carter” will be replaced by “DSNY Franchisee” as the city takes over full responsibility for the commercial waste system, which handles 12,000 tons of waste, recyclables and organics every night. We are more than disappointed that this misguided law will destroy dozens of local companies, many with 50 years or more of service, and displace hundreds of workers (mostly people of color, and many second-chance making good money for hard and thankless work). Just like when Los Angeles eliminated competition as the basis for this essential service, no choice, price increases and declining service will become very real to New York’s businesses and industries, with questionable environmental benefits.”
—-Kendall Christiansen, Executive Director, New Yorkers for Responsible Waste Management