Res. No.1807
Resolution calling on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to create a public recycling program for newspapers, bottles and cans.
By Council Members Garodnick, Brewer, Fidler, Gerson, Jackson, James, Koppell, Liu, Mark-Viverito, Palma, Sanders Jr. and Weprin
Whereas, Approximately 25,000 tons of commercial and residential waste and recyclable materials are generated in New York City each day; and
Whereas, Landfilling or incinerating New York City’s large volume of waste has numerous negative economic and environmental impacts; and
Whereas, Recycling is a key component of New York City’s efforts to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills or incinerators; and
Whereas, Recycling is required in both residential and commercial buildings in the City; and
Whereas, Many of the materials that are disposed of in public waste bins are recyclable; and
Whereas, A pilot public recycling program was conducted in the Spring of 2007 by the Department of Sanitation, as required by the City’s 2006 Solid Waste Management Plan, to test the feasibility of recycling newspapers, bottles, and cans in public places; and
Whereas, Public recycling in the pilot program was determined to be successful in the Department of Sanitation’s analysis, particularly in areas with dense populations of commuters and office workers; and
Whereas, Public recycling has now been expanded to more than 40 locations throughout the City based on the success of the eight sites tested through the pilot program; and
Whereas, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey manages many facilities that would be ideal for public recycling because of the large numbers of commuters that use them, including LaGuardia and Kennedy airports and the Port Authority Bus Terminal; and
Whereas, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey could make an important contribution to reducing the volume of waste from New York City that goes into landfills or incinerators; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to create a public recycling program for newspapers, bottles, and cans.