NW&RA Tells New York City Council Two Bills Will Raise Waste, Recycling Costs

The National Waste & Recycling Association testified before the New York City Council on two pieces of proposed legislation that it says would likely add to the cost of collecting and managing waste and recycling in the city.

David Biderman, vice president for government affairs for the Washington-based association, formerly the National Solid Wastes Management Association, testified before separate council committees on the legislation, according to a news release.

Intro. 1160 would require carters licensed by or registered with the city’s Business Integrity Commission to reduce their waste collection emissions by modernizing their fleets.

“The waste and recycling industry is a progressive industry, generating more renewable energy than either the solar or wind industries, and is in fact leading the way in converting its collection vehicles to natural gas,” Biderman said. “However, the cost of adding these new vehicles to a carter’s fleet is substantial.”

Intro. 1162 would divert organic waste from the current municipal waste stream to composting facilities.

 “A law mandating that this large volume of waste be diverted from the current municipal waste stream should not be enacted without careful thought and planning concerning where this waste will go and how much it will cost to dispose of it,” Biderman said regarding that proposal.

After completing his testimony, Biderman said, “We have worked closely with city officials in connection with the development of the concepts underlying these pieces of legislation, and although we have concerns about certain provisions in each bill, we are generally supportive of their goals.”

He said James Gennaro, chairman of the council's Committee on Environmental Protection, directed city officials to work with the association on its concerns.