Res. No. 11
Resolution calling upon the State Legislature to pass, and Governor to sign, S.4203, requiring putrescible and non-putrescible waste to be covered by a hard tarp when transported by rail.
By Council Members Holden, Yeger and Gennaro
Whereas, New York City (City) has no active sanitary landfills, no construction and demolition debris landfills, no traditional incinerators, and very limited waste-to-energy resource recovery facilities, necessitating that most refuse be exported from the City for disposal; and
Whereas, New York City’s 2006 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan initiated a shift from truck based methods of long haul waste export to freight and marine based transport alternatives, in order to reduce the environmental impacts of long haul truck carting; and
Whereas, According to the New York City Mayor’s Office on Climate and Sustainability, the City produces over 14 million tons of trash every year, approximately 75 percent of which is sent to landfills or incinerators; and
Whereas, The City also produces approximately 1,400 tons of dewatered biosolids, which is treated sewage sludge, reclaimed from the wastewater treatment process, every day; and
Whereas, Approximately 89 percent of the biosolids produced within New York State are sent to landfills within state bounds; and
Whereas, Despite requirements necessitating that municipal solid waste shipped via rail be transported in sealed containers, complaints about odor management and refuse blowing onto properties persist in adjacent route communities; and
Whereas, Putrescible waste, defined as solid wastes that contain organic matter having the tendency to decompose and form malodorous by-products, have the potential to attract vermin when improperly secured; and
Whereas, Requiring putrescible and non-putrescible waste to be covered by a hard tarp when transported by rail, as per S.4203, introduced by State Senator Joseph Addabbo, has the potential to better contain odor and loose refuse, resulting in fewer disturbances to communities through which this waste transits; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the State Legislature to pass, and Governor to sign, S.4203, requiring putrescible and non-putrescible waste to be covered by a hard tarp when transported by rail.
Session 12
AH
LS 4252
01/31/2020
Session 11
NRC
LS #14232
Res. #1321-2020