The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will be holding an online public hearing on proposed rules that relate to waste carters operating in commercial waste zones at 9:30 am on September 15, 2021.
Overall, the proposed rules aim to accomplish the following:
- Require carters who are selected to operate in commercial waste zones to reimburse customers for the cost of a commercial waste generation audit;
- Establish clear fees for the commercial waste zones program; and
- Amend definitions in New York City Charter and the Administrative Code.
DSNY released a comprehensive plan for reforming the private carting industry in 2018. Subsequently, Local Law 199 was enacted in 2019, allowing for the division of New York City into twenty (20) commercial waste zones. DSNY will use a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to select up to three (3) private carters for each commercial waste zone, as well as five (5) carters to provide city-wide collection services for containerized commercial waste. The first part of this RFP process was completed earlier in 2021. The second part will be completed in the coming months.
The proposed rules to be discussed at the September 2021 hearing have been prepared as part of a continued effort to limit the amount of private waste carters driving into city neighborhoods. DSNY is seeking to reduce truck traffic in the boroughs in order to promote safer roads and public health by lessening air and noise impacts. Additionally, the proposed rules would result in clear and concise pricing for the customers of private carting companies, which promotes the interests of small businesses.
The proposed rules will also establish requirements for selected carters to reimburse their established customers for costs associated with the performance of a commercial waste generation audit. Such audits are completed by an auditor registered with the Business Integrity Commission (BIC) as a trade waste broker. The audits determine the amount of commercial waste generated by waste stream at an establishment, and provide recommendations to promote recycling and waste reduction. After the amount of each waste stream is determined by weight in the audit, customers can use it to negotiate a fair price with their commercial waste zone carter.
Here is how to access the hearing at 9:30 am on September 15, 2021:
Meeting number: 132 846 0246
Password: XPhSGmp4U88
Join by video system
Dial 1328460246@dsnynyc.webex.com
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.
Join by phone: +1-415-655-0001 US Toll
Access code: 132 846 0246
You may provide comments on the proposed rules online, via email, mail, fax, and by speaking at the hearing. If you would like to learn more about the DSNY’s proposed rules or for more information on how to comment on them, please contact Walden at 516-447-8230.