Sanitation

Topic

√ NY Agencies

Department of Sanitation (DSNY)

DSNY is responsible for various sanitation services including garbage collection, recycling collection, street cleaning, and snow removal. DSNY also oversees the disposal of municipal solid waste and recyclables. It includes several bureaus such as the Bureau of Cleaning and Collection, which handles the collection of recycling and garbage as well as street cleaning, and the Solid Waste Management Bureau, which is responsible for the disposal of all municipal solid waste and recyclables managed by DSNY. Mayor’s Management Report

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

This department is responsible for public health and often works in areas overlapping with sanitation, such as the control and prevention of health hazards that can arise from unsanitary conditions.
Mayor’s Management Report

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

The DEP manages the city’s water supply and wastewater treatment, including sewage treatment, which is a critical component of urban sanitation. They also handle industrial waste treatment and air quality issues. Mayor’s Management Report

Department of Parks and Recreation

This department is responsible for the upkeep of public parks, which includes maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in these areas. Mayor’s Management Report

Department of Transportation (DOT)

DOT manages the city’s streets and bridges, and their role can intersect with sanitation, particularly in street cleaning and the clearing of snow and ice. Mayor’s Management Report

New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

NYCHA is responsible for the maintenance and services of its housing developments, which includes ensuring proper sanitation and garbage disposal in these areas. Mayor’s Management Report

Department of Buildings (DOB)

DOB enforces building codes and regulations, some of which pertain to sanitation and waste management, especially in commercial and residential buildings. Mayor’s Management Report

√ Reports

Annual Reports for DSNY Curbside Collections

The DSNY provides various reports on its website, including annual municipal tonnages, diversion rates, and monthly curbside collection rates. These reports offer detailed statistical insights into the city’s waste management efforts and the efficiency of recycling and garbage collection services.

The Future of Trash: Waste Containerization Models and Viability in New York City

This study, released by the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) in 2023, explores best practices, challenges, and forward steps for the containerization of waste in the city. It provides insights into innovative waste management strategies that could be adopted by New York City.

Annual Reports for DSNY & Non-DSNY Collections

New York City Municipal Refuse and Recycling Statistics

DSNY Reports Page

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) hosts a reports page that includes a variety of reports and publications related to sanitation in the city. These resources cover topics like waste management, recycling, and street cleanliness.

Street and Sidewalk Cleanliness Audit by the New York State Comptroller

This audit, conducted by the Office of the New York State Comptroller, assessed whether the DSNY effectively monitors the cleanliness of NYC’s streets and sidewalks. The audit highlighted the need for improved communication, coordination, and record-keeping processes within the DSNY to address persistent cleanliness issues in the city effectively.

DSNY Statistics Page

This page includes various statistical reports and data on New York City’s sanitation efforts, including waste collection and recycling statistics. The statistics provide insights into the volume and types of waste processed in the city.

Testimony on the State of New York City Recycling

The Citizens Budget Commission a nonpartisan nonprofit think tank, has conducted extensive research on NYC’s solid waste management system. Their findings indicate that while recycling has improved, there are still challenges in collection productivity and costs.

The Future of Trash: Waste Containerization Models and Viability in New York City

Annual Reports for DSNY Curbside Collections

Annual Reports for DSNY & Non-DSNY Collections

New York City Municipal Refuse and
Recycling Statistics

DSNY Reports Page

Street and Sidewalk Cleanliness Audit by the New York State Comptroller

DSNY Statistics Page

Testimony on the State of New York City Recycling

√ Data sets

DSNY Monthly Tonnage Data

This report provides monthly data on the tonnage of waste collected by DSNY. It offers a detailed view of the amount and type of waste handled by the city’s sanitation department on a monthly basis. The data is available on the NYC Open Data platform.

Recycling Diversion and Capture Rates

This dataset, also available through NYC Open Data, provides information on recycling rates in different parts of the city. It includes data on the amount of waste recycled and the effectiveness of recycling programs.

Business improvement district (BID) program/service output and expense data

This data set on Open Data NYC include information about types of sanitation services provided by the BID, staff numbers and budget information.

State Demographics Data by MigrationPolicy.org

This website offers up-to-date Census data on immigrants in the United States, including New York. It provides information on population size, location, country of birth, and more.

311 Service Requests

The NYC 311 service request dataset, available on the NYC Open Data platform, includes complaints and service requests related to sanitation and garbage collection. Analyzing this data can reveal patterns in waste collection issues and public concerns about sanitation services across the city.

Sanitation Salvage Truck Violations

This dataset contains Open Parking and Camera Violations issued by the City of New York.

Waste Characterization Studies

Cities conduct periodic waste characterization studies to assess changes in the composition
of discarded material and to inform development of waste management programs and services like recycling, composting, and reuse.

√ Data visualizations

Commercial Waste Zones Map

This map, provided by DSNY, shows designated zones for commercial waste collection. It can be used to study the distribution and management of commercial waste in the city.

Clothing and Textile Drop-Off Map

A map of locations to drop off unwanted clothing, household textiles, and accessories.

Smart Composting Bin or community composting drop-off sites

Drop-off composting sites across the city can turn your food scraps and plant waste into compost and clean energy while reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills . Smart Composting Bins are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

DSNY Garage Locations Map

An interactive map of garages across the five boroughs.

Rat Information Portal

This is a web-based mapping application that allows you to view rat inspection and action data collected by the NYC Health Department.

Our World in Data - Sanitation

This comprehensive overview by Our World in Data explores global sanitation trends, including access, types of facilities, and health impacts. Use the interactive map to filter by country and see data for the US over time

Litterati - Analyze Your City’s Litter

What if you knew exactly what was littering your community? Every object, material, brand, and their locations. Maps of hotspots and illegal dumpsites.

√ STATISTICS

Pounds of Trash, Recycling and Compostable Material Collected Daily

Million, DSNY

Sanitation Violations Issued

2023, DSNY

graffiti service requests

2023, DSNY-MMR

Collections Operations

The DSNY collects 24 million pounds of trash, recycling, and compostable material every day. It operates 59 district garages and manages a fleet of more than 2,000 rear-loading collection trucks, 450 mechanical brooms, 705 salt spreaders. Source: DSNY

Graffiti and Needles

DSNY received 1,125 graffiti service requests and closed 1,105 of these requests in the first three months since taking over administration of the program. The 90,861 needles collected in Fiscal 2023 represented a 30 percent increase compared to Fiscal 2022. Source: DSNY – MMR

Violations

In Fiscal 2023, DSNY refocused enforcement efforts on core sanitation violations, the basic rules around cleanliness, issuing 66,635 violations, an increase of 44 percent compared to Fiscal 2022. Source: DSNY – MMR

Pounds of Trash, Recycling and Compostable Material Collected Daily

Million, DSNY

Sanitation Violations Issued

2023, DSNY

graffiti service requests

2023, DSNY-MMR

Collections Operations

Graffiti and Needles

Violations

√ Non-Profits

Sanitation Foundation

This organization is the official non-profit partner of the New York City Department of Sanitation. They focus on various initiatives such as the NYC Trash Academy, youth education, volunteer cleanup programs, and developing tools and resources for food waste management.

FABSCRAP

FABSCRAP is dedicated to addressing commercial textile waste in New York City. They provide services for fabric recycling and reuse, aiming to reduce the amount of material that would otherwise end up in landfills.

GrowNYC

This organization offers a range of environmental programs that include composting food scraps and clothing collections. They are dedicated to improving NYC’s environment through community-based programs that promote a cleaner, more sustainable city.

Center for New York City Affairs

This center has been involved in advocating for reforms in NYC’s private waste system. It has played a role in shaping policies and practices for more efficient, sustainable, and equitable waste collection and recycling, particularly in the commercial sector.

Re-Clothe NY

A coalition involving recyclers, non-profits, and government agencies working to increase textile reuse and recycling across New York State. The coalition aims to educate New Yorkers about the recyclability of textiles and facilitate convenient drop-off locations for unwanted textiles.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Primarily focuses on promoting the circular economy, which includes efficient waste management and recycling.

Earth Engineering Center (EEC) at Columbia University

Conducts research on sustainable waste management, including waste-to-energy technologies.

Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF)

A research institute that funds and directs scientific research and educational initiatives for waste management practices.

√ Experts

Kathryn Garcia

Former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Garcia has extensive experience in managing the city’s waste and recycling programs. She has been a vocal advocate for sustainability and waste reduction initiatives in NYC.

Robin Nagle - NYU

As the anthropologist-in-residence at the DSNY and a clinical professor at NYU, Nagle has deep insights into the cultural and environmental aspects of waste management. She authored the book “Picking Up” which delves into the world of sanitation workers in NYC.

Ron Gonen - Closed Loop Fund

Co-founder of the Closed Loop Fund, Gonen works on developing economic models to improve recycling and sustainability efforts. His expertise includes recycling infrastructure and sustainable waste management.

Bridget Anderson - EPA

As a former Deputy Commissioner for Recycling and Sustainability at DSNY, Anderson played a key role in shaping the city’s recycling and waste reduction policies. She has expertise in developing strategies for waste prevention, reuse, and recycling.

Dr. Nickolas J. Themelis - Columbia University

Dr. Themelis is a professor at Columbia University and the founder of the Earth Engineering Center (EEC). He is a leading authority in the field of waste-to-energy technologies and sustainable waste management practices.

Christine Datz-Romero

As the co-founder and Executive Director of the Lower East Side Ecology Center, Datz-Romero has been instrumental in implementing community-based recycling and composting programs in New York City. Her work focuses on urban sustainability, waste reduction, and community engagement in environmental practices.

Adam Ganser - New Yorkers for Parks

As the Executive Director of New Yorkers for Parks, Ganser works on issues related to urban environmentalism, including waste management in public spaces. His expertise includes advocating for sustainable park management and integrating waste reduction strategies in urban green spaces.

√ Journal Articles

"Refashioning Waste"

The 14 million tons of waste produced annually cost New York City $300-million for residential disposal alone. Textile recycling (re)circulates items that otherwise end up in landfills by finding markets for used apparel, redirecting consumption within cities and even globally.

"An Impossible Ideal: The Use and Misuse of Zero Waste"

The zero-waste movement is predicated o the idea that it is possible to have a society that does not produce any waste because everything is recyclable and everything can be used again. However is this, in fact, a reasonable assumption?

"Trash Tales: Lessons from the Fight for Waste Equity in NYC"

Issues surrounding waste go far beyond reduction, reuse and recycling of materials. Particularly for environmental justice communities in a centuries-old, densely populated city like New York city, the question becomes: when space is at a premium, where is our trash going, and who bears the burden?

"IMPLEMENTATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION SOLUTIONS IN U.S. CITIES"

This policy paper explores Seattle, Portland, Philadelphia, and New York City’s approach to climate change adaptation and the methods adopted and strategies implemented to mitigate its effect.

"A LOT TO DIGEST: ADVANCING FOOD WASTE POLICY IN THE UNITED STATES"

An estimated thirty-one percent of the food grown, produced, and transported in the United States is wasted annually. This waste translates into ninety-six billion pounds of food and $165 billion in lost economic value. Food waste occurs at all phases of the supply chain, stretching from farm to table, and imposes substantial economic, environmental, and social costs.

√ Key Issues

Food Waste Management

NYC faces challenges in efficiently recycling food waste. This includes integrating systems like digesters for processing and converting waste into useful products like fuel and fertilizer.

Recycling Programs

The city grapples with the effectiveness of mandatory versus voluntary recycling programs. There are considerations about their impact on the overall waste management efficiency and participation rates.

Legislative and Policy Challenges

NYC deals with complex legislation around waste management. This includes ensuring compliance and effective enforcement, especially concerning the division of responsibilities between residential and non-residential waste producers.

Revenue Generation

There’s a need for innovative strategies to generate revenue from recycled products, especially food waste, to sustain the waste management system financially.

√ Social Media Accounts

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