organics collection in nyc

Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse

and Recycling

nyc.gov/organics

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Organics Collection in NYC

Milano Recycling City

Milano, Italy

June 6, 2014

Haley Rogers

NYC Department of Sanitation06/06/2014


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nyc.gov/organics

206/06/2014


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nyc.gov/organics

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NYC Requirements

2006 Solid Waste Management Plan• Sound business principles: Long term

contract for processing recyclables• Environmental concern: Intermodal transportation• Environmental justice: Borough equity

Local Law 40 of 2010• Amendments to original LL19 of 1989• By 2020

• 25% diversion rate DSNY curbside & containerized

• 33% diversion rate DSNY-managed

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NYC Goals

• Divert 75% of our solid waste from landfills (residential and commercial)

• Double diversion from residences & institutions by 2017

• Divert 50% food waste from restaurants

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Current Economics of Disposal

• Paper• $10 / ton revenue

• Metal, Glass, Plastic & Cartons• ~ $70 / ton tip fee• (plus revenue share)

• Disposal• Average about $100 / ton tip fee

** As much as $1 million / year disposing organics suitable for composting **

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“Traditional” Diversion from residences & institutions

Diversion Rate ~ 15% (5% to 29%)

If 100% recycled: 33% diversion06/06/2014

Source: 2013 NYC WCS (unofficial)


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2013 Waste Characterization Study


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Goal: double diversionfrom residences & institutions

To reach 30% diversion, need ~ 500K more tons

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Organics Recovery:Potential Benefits

• Increase total waste diversion from landfill• Decrease costs associated with disposal• Create compost for beneficial use• Provide an alternative source of energy• Reduce rodent populations (when organics set out in

containers)

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nyc.gov/organics NYC Organics Recovery Programs

• Green Market Drop-Offs• started at Union Square• now in all 5 Boroughs

• Community Drop-Offs &Local Organics Processing

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NYC Organics Recovery Programs

• Community Gardens & Backyard Composting

NYCCompostProject

• Christmas tree collection and mulching

• Seasonal leaf & yard waste collection (budget permitting – currently suspended)

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Previous DSNY Studies

• Organics Collection Pilots• 1992

• Backyard, On-Site, DecentralizedComposting

• 1999

• Mixed Waste Composting• 2004

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DSNY Organics Collection Pilot

Local Law 77 of 2013

• Two year pilot program Oct 2013 - July 2015• Curbside collection of source-separated

organic waste• Schools• Residential Neighborhoods• High-rise Apartment Buildings• Agency Facilities

• Suspend seasonal leaf & yard collection during pilot

Partner Agencies:

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Evaluation

• Tonnage Collected

• Participation Rates

• Proper Participation

• Cost-Effectiveness

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What is collected?

all food scraps

food-soiled paper

plants and yard waste

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Plastic Bags?

• Emphasis on Education:

If lining bins, use paper or BPI-USCC certified

compostable.

NO SHOPPING BAGS OR OTHER PLASTIC

• Since 2014 allowed to line use CLEAR recycling bags in brown bin to get participation

• Monitoring bag usage and processing issues at facilities

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nyc.gov/organicsDSNY Organics Collection Pilot

Schools

2011-12

Four DOE schools• Spearheaded by a few PTA’s

in Manhattan

2012-13

90+ DOE and private schools• Manhattan, Brooklyn

2013-14

300+ DOE and private schools• Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island

2014-15

400+ DOE and private schools• All five boroughs

Staten IslandBrooklyn

Queens

Manhattan

Bronx

2013-14 Organics Schools

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nyc.gov/organicsDSNY Organics Collection Pilot

School Kitchens and Cafeterias

Kitchen Staff Students, Teachers, Admin

Custodial Staff DSNY Collection Staff

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LIQUIDS RECYCLING LANDFILL ORGANICS


School Education

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Pilot Areas• Low to medium density• 1 to 9 unit residential buildings• Weekly or bi-weekly collection

Spring 2013• Staten Island• ~3,200 households

Fall 2013 • Expanded in Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island• ~ 30,000 households total

Spring 2014• Expanding in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island• ~100,000 households total


Residential Neighborhoods

Staten Island

Brooklyn

Queens

Manhattan

Bronx

Pilot AreasSpg 2013Fall 2013Spg 2014

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Residential Starter Kit

Delivered to households:• Brown organics bin (12 or 21-gal)• Kitchen container• Brochure• Sample supply compostable liners

and coupons donated by:BioBag, Glad,Ucan, Ecosafe,Bag to Nature, etc.

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Residential Education

Mailer

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Residential Education

Brochure

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High-Rise Apartment Buildings

Pilot Buildings• Enroll to participate• Multiple strategies• Rat Study with NYC Dept. of Health

Spring 2013• 5-building complex with 980 units• Luxury high rise with 500 units

Fall 2013-Spring 2014• Manhattan and Brooklyn• 40+ buildings

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Organics Processing

Composting

DSNY-managed facilities• NYSDEC permission

Processing BID – short term

• existing regional capacity for pilot period

Anaerobic Digestion• bio-slurry• DEP Newtown Creek Facility

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Some Observations

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some results (unofficial)

Total tonnage collected in 2013: 1,650 tons

School diversion audit (spring 2013)

A. Manhattan Schools – 34%

B. Brooklyn Schools – 38%

High-rise diversion audit (summer 2013)

A. Morningside Gardens – 37%

B. Increased district diversion rate by 0.5%

Pilot Neighborhoods – diversion up by about 5%

Contamination rate from residential pilot areas: < 5%

Participation Rates: range from 20 to 50%06/06/2014


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Thank you!

Haley Rogers

[email protected]

06/06/2014