Reaching for Zero:
A The Citizens Plan for Zero Waste in New York City
By Resa Dimino and Barbara Warren
New York City Zero Waste Campaign
and Consumer Policy Institute / Consumers Union June 2004
available in pdf format

Program

Recycling & Composting

Waste Prevention

• 59 Zero Waste Coordinators are established promoting zero waste programs and $1.18 million fund is available for projects
• Waste prevention purchasing and management staff (5 members at minimum) are in place, waste prevention product guide completed, website in use, report on toxics purchasing in city government completed, and a plan for substituting and eliminating priority toxic chemicals being implemented.
• Technical assistance office for agency waste prevention in place (12 staff) performing 50-60 waste audits annually and aiding in implementation with $5 million revolving capital pool available for projects. 2008 report on findings, measures actually implemented, monetary savings and waste avoided will inform efforts during Intermediate Term.
• School waste prevention coordinators in place (10 staff) instituting school-based waste prevention programs
• Reusable service ware in use in 201 schools with dishwashers; feasibility study on dishwashing systems in other schools complete
• Agency and institutional cafeterias; implementation plan developed based on pilots, conversions to reusables begun in 2008 impact 20% of agency cafeterias; technical assistance provided to institutional cafeterias to convert.
• Health and Hospitals Corporation waste prevention office created (6 staff) with revolving capital pool ($300,000) to implement projects
• Business waste prevention technical assistance office created (12 staff) performing business waste audits, managing a revolving loan program to implement projects and identifying priority commercial waste streams for attention

• All previously established waste prevention programs and infrastructure sustained.
• All school, agency and institutional cafeterias converted to reusable or compostable service ware
• Evaluations and improvements to all waste prevention programs based on documentation of outcomes. Planning for achieving waste prevention long term goal completed.

• All previously established waste prevention programs and infrastructure sustained
• Programs adapted and revised and updated

Reuse

• Four Reuse Complexes and four Reuse Material Recovery Facilities are operating in 4 boroughs with a supplementary vehicle fleet of 5 trucks per Complex.
• Curbside collection of durables and reusables in place in four boroughs
• State Approved Apprenticeship and Job Training programs in place developing the workforce for reuse enterprises
• On-line trading of reusables established for agencies and individuals; 5 trucks and drivers for city agencies
• Toolkit for neighborhood swap events developed and used by waste prevention coordinators and other organizations
• 40 neighborhood swap shops established and operating
• Technical assistance (EDC) division created to support reuse and remanufacturing enterprises with a dedicated capital pool
• Quality control standards, labeling and implementation system for reusables developed and in use

• All previously established reuse programs and infrastructure sustained
• Five or more (if warranted) Reuse Complexes and Reuse MRFs established with fleet of 25 trucks or more on hand
• Curbside collection of durables and reusables in place city-wide, including small businesses 59 neighborhood-based reusable swap shops operating

• All previously established reuse programs and infrastructure sustained
• Programs adapted and revised and updated as appropriate. Additional Reuse Complexes and Reuse MRFs established, if necessary

Recycling

Goal: 50% of Available Recyclables are diverted

• NYC has made long term commitment to recycling and provided the needed funding.
• Market development office created and market development plan produced identifying material targets-- glass, plastics, textiles and other materials as appropriate.
• Long-term contract with recycling vendor in place with provisions for commercial generators to use the vendor. Completed capacity needs assessment for municipal and commercial recycling infrastructure.
• Curbside collection efficiencies improved as a result of various pilot tests and reduced trash collections as recyclable % increases. (See Transportation chapter for more details.
• Curbside recycling expanded to include more materials -plate glass, ceramics, additional plastic resins and textiles, if markets permit.
• Extended Producer Responsibility programs in place for plastics lacking viable markets, electronics, carpets and mercury containing products.
• Public space recycling strategy developed and implementation begun citywide.
• Multi-family recycling program options evaluated, pilots tested and report completed.
• Agency and institutional recycling significantly improved- fines and incentives utilized as appropriate
• Buyback Center pilot tested and citywide strategy for implementing buybacks completed.
• Special waste collections strategy implemented citywide.

Goal: 70% of Available Recyclables are diverted

• All previously established recycling programs sustained
• Additional recycling infrastructure identified as needed in 2009, is developed.
• Additional materials added to curbside recycling program as markets are developed
• Continual improvements to collection efficiencies and materials collected. Comprehensive public space recycling program established city-wide
• Improved multi-family recycling program established

Goal: 100% of Available Recyclables are Diverted

• All previously established recycling programs and infrastructure sustained
• Programs adapted and revised and updated as appropriate
• Market development office actively identifying target materials and develop markets
• Additional materials added to curbside recycling program as markets are developed

Composting

Goal: 15 % of available organics are diverted

• Citywide "leave it on the lawn" education program and ban on the collection and disposal of grass clippings
• Backyard composting education program in place and distributing 10,000 backyard bins per year
• Support for "On-site" organics recovery programs by providing technical and financial assistance for institutions to implement food waste composting and other on-site organics recovery; ban on grass clippings collection implemented
• Provide technical and financial support for commercial composting at on-site facilities and collection and processing at central facilities
• Fall leaf and composting program serving all boroughs; Christmas tree collections resumed
• Spring/summer yard debris collection rolled out citywide
• Public Task Force established to assist with siting and operational issues associated with yard material and food scrap composting
• DSNY composting facilities open to landscapers on a fee-for-service basis
• One or more commercial-scale food scrap composting facilities operating- providing 900 tons per day of capacity
• Pilots and final evaluations of collection programs, facilities and compost product completed.
• Compost capacity needs analysis completed
• Recommendations of Task Force used to develop city-wide food scrap composting implementation strategy

Goal: 45% of available organics are diverted

• All previously established organics recovery programs and infrastructure sustained
• Evaluation and monitoring of existing facilities and programs
• Additional compost facilities developed as indicated by capacity needs analysis
• Ensure that adequate organic diversion to meet 45% of all organic material is achieved by 2014.

Goal: 100% of available Organics are diverted

• All previously established organics recovery programs and infrastructure sustained
• Programs adapted and revised as appropriate to achieve 100% diversion of organic material.

Economic Development

• Technical and financial assistance office for Zero Waste businesses created with all services in one place and a website.
• A dedicated capital pool for financing.
• Planning for Reuse/Recycling Industrial Parks; one established.

• Office and capital pool sustained
• Four Recycling Industrial Parks in operation; a fifth in planning, if necessary

• Zero waste economic development programs and infrastructure sustained
• Five or more Recycling Industrial Parks in operation

Education

• Large scale zero waste public education advertising campaign developed and running.
• Consumer campaigns developed and implemented — with one every 6 months- targeting shopping with waste prevention in mind.
• Reuse public awareness campaign underway, including public relations and targeted education of key constituencies.
• Block Leader/Building Leader community based education program in place in at least one borough ( in conjunction with Zero Waste Coordinators)
• Curriculum for all schools is mandatory and curriculum has been revised to reflect a zero waste focus.
• Education programs targeted at key constituencies (building managers, businesses, agencies, etc.) implemented annually.
• Opinion research compiled annually to gauge perceptions of reuse, recycling, waste prevention and composting.
• A university engaged to conduct more in-depth educational research on an ongoing basis to evaluate and improve education and outreach
• University certificate and degree programs initiated for zero waste professionals

• Large scale zero waste advertising campaigns continuing
• Consumer education campaigns developed and implemented bi-annually
• Reuse public relations and education campaigns continuing
• Opinion research on zero waste programs compiled bi-annually
• Block Leader/Building Leader community-based education programs in place and expanding in all 5 boroughs working with Zero Waste Coordinators
• Zero waste school curriculum is updated every three years
• Targeted education programs at key constituencies implemented each year, modified every 3 years.
• University research ongoing
• Certified and degreed zero waste professionals are now part of the workforce

• All previously established education programs and infrastructure sustained
• Consumer education campaigns developed and implemented bi-annually
• Reuse public relations and education campaigns implemented bi-annually
• Opinion research on zero waste programs compiled bi-annually
• Two targeted education programs implemented each year
• Large scale zero waste advertising campaigns implemented consistently

Enforcement

• Educational enforcement strategy developed
• Collection and enforcement forces trained in educational enforcement
• Greater attention to large buildings and more enforcement with larger fines issued.
• Strategy for institutional and agency enforcement developed and implemented.
• New commercial recycling laws enforced
• Enforcement of transportation violations increased
• Commercial facility operations violation enforcement increased.

• All previously established enforcement programs sustained
• Evaluate status and progress of agencies and institutions (WP, Reuse, Recycling and Composting) annually in a report
• Evaluate status and progress of residential efforts (Reuse, Recycling and Composting) and enforcement annually in a report
• Evaluate status and progress of commercial efforts (Reuse, Recycling and Composting) and enforcement annually in a report
• Additional enforcement strategies added as new rules are implemented

• All previously established enforcement programs sustained
• Additional enforcement strategies added as new rules are implemented

Transportation

• Vehicles Miles traveled by Collection Trucks Begins to be reduced as route changes and other efficiency improvements are made. VMT reductions monitored and recorded.
• Municipal trash and recyclable collections integrated and efficiency and cost effectiveness improved as more recyclables collected. Frequency of mixed trash collection reduced. Savings realized.
• Various alternative truck designs have been pilot tested in addition to "single stream" collection of recyclables.
• Commercial collection franchise system implemented city-wide. Franchise fees collected.
• MTS system in use for transportation of recoverables (compostable and recyclable materials).
• Clean fuel vehicles implementation strategy developed and implemented for DSNY and private carter fleets, as well as waterborne vessels. Permit conditions on private carters require cleaner fuel vehicles
• Feasibility of using existing rail lines for transport of recoverables evaluated; expansion of rail use implemented if feasible.
• Feasibility of local biodiesel production facility evaluated; facility in place, if feasible.

• All previously established transportation programs and infrastructure sustained
• Garbage collection frequencies steadily reduced to account for increased waste prevention, reuse, recycling and composting.
• Clean fuels implementation strategy for DSNY and private carter fleets, as well as waterborne vessels, updated bi-annually.
• Use of rail infrastructure increased, if feasible.
• Diversification of truck fleet continues

• Garbage collection frequencies steadily reduced to account for increased waste prevention, reuse, recycling and composting.
• Clean fuels implementation strategy for DSNY and private carter fleets, as well as waterborne vessels, updated bi-annually.
• Use of rail and water borne transportation maximized
• Truck fleet transitioned to serve zero waste programs

Financing

• Waste disposal surcharge
• Franchise fees established as commercial waste collection franchises implemented
• Grants office established and Federal and state grants to finance zero waste projects actively solicited
• Fees-for-services implemented for selected DSNY services
• Industry partnerships developed to finance education and research activities
• Pay As You Throw implemented in city agencies and institutions and in low-density residential districts (1-4 family homes); PAYT pilots for medium and high-density housing underway.
• Bottle Bill passed and redemption centers being established
• Extended Producer legislation for certain products

• All previously established financing measures maintained
• Fee for service programs implemented, as appropriate
• Partnerships with industry for education and research developed and/or maintained
• PAYT implemented city-wide in all housing types if feasible
• Additional EPR target identified and legislation passed

• All previously established financing measures maintained
• Fee for service programs implemented, as appropriate
• Partnerships with industry for education and research developed and/or maintained
• Additional EPR target identified and legislation passed

Legislation & Regulation

• Zero Waste local law or resolution passed.
• Updated local recycling law passed.
• Strengthened State Solid Waste Management Act passed.
• Comprehensive City procurement legislation passed; programs in place
• Legislation to establish commercial waste franchise districts established
• Lower commercial carting rate for source-separated recyclables/ compostables/ reusables established
• Additional regulations and incentives for commercial recycling identified and implemented
• Bigger Better Bottle Bill passed- deposit raised to 10 cents in 2009
• City Council passes Extended Producer Responsibility legislative package for disposables, packaging, electronics, carpets and mercury containing products.
• Grass clippings disposal ban implemented and effective. Other disposal bans considered where effective zero waste programs are in place.
• Deposit Program implemented for Renovation and construction projects as well as for Special events — deposit returned upon showing of satisfactory waste diversion
• Stimulate market development via mandatory minimum recycled content legislation passed for recycled glass products and other materials as identified
• Policy reforms to eliminate barriers to reuse and provide support
• Sales tax exemption established for reused items
• City advocacy for the elimination of virgin material subsidies at the federal level.

• Continued advocacy on legislative and regulatory priorities not achieved in immediate term
• EPR legislation on products and/or packaging advanced bi-annually based on waste composition analysis
• Disposal bans advanced for products and/or packaging as recovery programs grow
• Minimum recycled content standard legislation advanced for materials needing market development

• Continued advocacy on legislative and regulatory priorities not achieved in immediate or intermediate terms
• EPR legislation on products and/or packaging advanced bi-annually based on waste composition analysis
• Disposal bans advanced for products and/or packaging as recovery programs grow
• Minimum recycled content standard legislation advanced for materials needing market development

Research and Data-Gathering

• Detailed waste composition analysis complete (2004)
• Waste composition analysis supplemented by frequent curbside and transfer station spot checks, including agency and institutional location
• Detailed and decipherable data on zero waste and disposal program costs and results released annually.
• Full cost accounting methodology in use to determine incremental costs of zero waste programs. Consistent methods to be used from 2005 through 2024.
• Life-cycle costing in use for agency purchasing decisions.
• 2009 Full waste composition analysis including toxic components of the waste stream completed

• 2009, detailed waste composition analysis used to develop programs, regulation and legislation.
• Ongoing waste composition by curbside and transfer station spot checks, as well as data from zero waste operations
• Detailed and transparent data on zero waste and disposal program costs and results released annually.
• Full cost accounting methodology still in use
• Life-cycle costing still in use for agency purchasing decisions.
• 2014 Full waste composition analysis including toxic components of the waste stream completed

• 2014 detailed waste composition analyses used to develop programs, regulation and legislation.
• Modifications to all programs in order to reach 2024 ZERO GOALS.
• Ongoing waste composition by curbside and transfer station spot checks, as well as data from zero waste operations
• Detailed and transparent data on zero waste and disposal program costs and performance released annually.
• Full cost accounting methodology still in use
• Life-cycle costing still in use for agency purchasing decisions.
• 2019 Waste composition analysis informs plans for final 5 years in order to reach ZERO WASTE