NYC Mayor's Proposed Budget Would Suspend Recycling Programs

Danielle Jackson

New York -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced a $41.4 billion budget proposal, which includes an 18-month suspension of metal, glass and plastic recycling.

Bloomberg's push for the recycling suspension could save the city $57 million. The mayor added that much of the recycling program is costly and inefficent -- glass, metal and plastic recycling costs $240 per ton, whereas trash disposal costs $130 per ton. The city's paper recycling program, which would remain intact, costs $87 per ton, according to the mayor's office.

New York state law requires curbside recycling, and each city can decide which materials to include. City officials said that the City Council would have to approve the plan.

The mayor's proposal also calls for a 12.2 percent reduction for the city's sanitation department.