Res. No. 1388
Resolution urging the Department of Education and the Department of Sanitation to immediately implement school recycling programs in all New York City public and private schools.
By Council Members de Blasio, Jackson, Brewer, Felder, Fidler, Gennaro, James, Koppell, Liu, Mealy, Palma, Recchia Jr., Sears, Vann, Vallone Jr. and Katz
Whereas, New York City Schools have a central role to play in promoting recycling and in recycling material at schools; and
Whereas, It is essential that we recycle if we are to lower our consumption of raw materials, reduce our carbon footprint, and ultimately protect and conserve our environment; and
Whereas, New York State Law requires that all municipalities establish recycling programs and the New York City Administrative Code requires that all City agencies recycle; and
Whereas, Waste reduction and recycling are critical elements of a well-rounded education that incorporates good social and environmental behaviors; and
Whereas, During September 2007, Richard P. Mills, the New York State Commissioner of Education and President of the State University of New York sent a message to every Superintendent of Public Schools and every District Superintendent of Schools encouraging all schools to establish or expand waste reduction and recycling programs and offering assistance to do so; and
Whereas, The majority of non-cafeteria waste in schools consists of paper, cardboard, metal, glass or plastic, all materials that are collected by the Department of Sanitation for recycling; and
Whereas, A large number of public and private schools in the City of New York do not have recycling programs or are only marginally recycling; and
Whereas, Numerous educators have attempted to institute recycling programs, only to be met with avoidable obstacles, including: (i) a lack of coordination with the Department of Sanitation, making it difficult to schedule pick-up dates; (ii) a lack of appropriate equipment such as bins and carts; (iii) a lack of system and space for sorting and otherwise preparing recyclables for collection; and
Whereas, If every school in the City of New York implemented effective recycling programs it would increase the City’s recycling rate and save valuable natural resources; and
Whereas, Putting in place school recycling programs would contribute to the success of the City’s Twenty year Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP), which failed to meet its 2007 25% waste diversion goal by over 8%; and
Whereas, While recycling in schools is a requirement under Regulation of the Chancellor A-850 and an important part of achieving compliance with Local Law 9, which requires City-wide recycling, this important practice continues to be largely disregarded; and
Whereas, Implementing an effective recycling program in every school would educate students and encourage them to engage in recycling in their homes, which would ultimately raise residential recycling rates; now therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York urges the Department of Education and the Department of Sanitation, to immediately implement school recycling programs in all New York City public and private schools.
CJC-2/19/08
LS # 4489