NYC Temporarily Halts Expansion of Organics Collection Program

The de Blasio administration is temporarily halting the expansion of its organics collection program, which is currently available to 3.5 million New York City residents in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and the Bronx.

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced the news yesterday, and DSNY Commissioner Kathryn Garcia stated that the city needs to have a robust organic waste diversion program in order to meet its zero waste goals.

The city is evaluating its current service offering with a goal of increasing efficiencies and streamlining the program in “coming months.”

Politico has more information:

The de Blasio administration is halting its efforts to bring its organics collection program to all New Yorkers, for now.

Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia told City Council members on Thursday that the city has "temporarily placed" efforts to expand the program to additional districts on hold. Currently, 3.5 million residents participate in the curbside collection program. DSNY says the service is available to all Manhattan residents and some districts in Brooklyn, Staten Island and Queens.

City officials pledged in 2017 to bring organics collection to all city residents before the end of 2018, either by providing curbside collection service or by installing convenient drop-off locations.

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