A pair of local councilmen announced that they’d be launching an e-waste pickup program of their own in response to New York City budget cuts. Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island) and Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore) will partner with Where-to-Turn, a Charleston-based community-support organization, to provide e-waste collection to Staten Islanders who can’t get to a Department of Sanitation (DSNY) disposal site on their own.
“Too many resources for our seniors and disabled are at risk due to budget cuts precipitated by the migrant crisis,” Carr said. “Cutting DSNY’s Curbside Pickup not only affects vulnerable populations, but also encourages illegal dumping, so we wanted to do everything we can to take away any excuse someone might have to do so. My predecessor fought hard to start Curbside eWaste Pickup. After having been finally reinstated after coming out of the COVID economy, we’re right back where we started. So, Minority Leader Borelli and I are bringing back the program for those least able to do their own drop-offs.”
The city quietly discontinued the long-time Staten Island trash program that allowed locals to schedule pickups for special items, like e-waste. A spokesperson for DSNY said at the time that the electronics, batteries, and textiles pickup program had been suspended because of “financial constraints.” The department’s website listed Oct. 27 as the last day to schedule a pickup for the program that had been in place since 2016.