File #: Res 0323-2014    Version: * Name: NYCHA to ramp up recycling efforts at its developments by encouraging and assisting residents to recycle and securing space for the storage of source-separated recyclables at all of its developments.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Public Housing
On agenda: 6/26/2014
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York City Housing Authority to ramp up recycling efforts at its developments by encouraging and assisting residents to recycle and securing space for the storage of source-separated recyclables at all of its developments in order to increase the Citywide recycling rate.
Sponsors: Laurie A. Cumbo, Donovan J. Richards, Margaret S. Chin, Costa G. Constantinides, Corey D. Johnson, Peter A. Koo, Rosie Mendez, Deborah L. Rose
Council Member Sponsors: 8

Res. No. 323

 

Resolution calling upon the New York City Housing Authority to ramp up recycling efforts at its developments by encouraging and assisting residents to recycle and securing space for the storage of source-separated recyclables at all of its developments in order to increase the Citywide recycling rate.

 

By Council Members Cumbo, Richards, Chin, Constantinides, Johnson, Koo, Mendez and Rose

 

Whereas, The New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) is a public housing authority with 334 developments, 2,563 buildings and 178,557 public housing units, making it the largest public housing provider in North America; and

Whereas, NYCHA is home to approximately 4.8 percent of the City’s population; and

Whereas, At least 445 tons of refuse are generated at NYCHA developments per day; and

Whereas, The City’s residential recycling law requires residents to source separate paper, cardboard, metal, glass and plastic for recycling at all residential buildings in the City, including NYCHA developments; and

Whereas, In addition to source separation requirements for residents, the City’s residential recycling law also imposes a series of obligations on landlords including, but not limited to, informing residents of the City’s residential recycling law and providing a designated area for the storage of source-separated recyclables; and

                     Whereas, Recycling has a number of community and environmental benefits, including reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to sustain the environment for future generations; and

Whereas, The number of NYCHA developments with recycling programs, including suitable storage space for source-separated recyclables, is minimal and inadequate; and

Whereas, At least twenty NYCHA developments have started Resident Green Committees, which work to make their communities and the City a greener and more sustainable place to live, and developed recycling programs, including, identifying and securing space for the storage of source-separated recyclables; and

                     Whereas, According to NYCHA’s Green Agenda, NYCHA is fully committed to providing safe, affordable housing for its residents in a cost efficient and environmentally conscious manner; and

                     Whereas, Further, in NYCHA’s “The Power is in Your Hands, A Resident’s Guide to Saving Energy and the Environment,” which provides residents with information on saving energy and the environment, NYCHA encourages its residents to recycle; and

                     Whereas, The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) publishes the City’s diversion rate, the amount of material that is diverted from disposal to recycling, on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis; and

                     Whereas, Similarly, NYCHA should track and maintain data pertaining to recycling diversion rates at its developments and institute a diversion rate goal on par to that of the DSNY; and

                     Whereas, The DSNY’s current diversion rate goal is 21 percent; and

                     Whereas, Information regarding NYCHA’s recycling rate should be made readily available to the public online; and

                     Whereas, NYCHA should encourage and assist its residents to create Resident Green Committees and secure space for the storage of source-separated recyclables at all of its developments in order to allow its residents an opportunity to meaningfully participate in and bolster the City’s recycling program; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Housing Authority to ramp up recycling efforts at its developments by encouraging and assisting residents to recycle and securing space for the storage of source-separated recyclables at all of its developments in order to increase the Citywide recycling rate.

 

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06/09/2014