NYSDEC Finalizes 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plan

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has finalized their Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) where they establish their long-term values and vision and identify six major focus areas. The SWMP acts as a ten-year roadmap to guide New York’s actions with regards to environmental concerns.

By 2050, NYSDEC aims to have New York State aligned with their vision. Their vision includes the reduction of landfilling and combustion by 85%, the realization of the circular economy, the increase of collaboration and innovation, the change of how waste is viewed, the full implementation of climate change mitigation, the increase of shared responsibility, more widespread waste reduction and reuse efforts, and the growth of responsible and resilient markets.

The SWMP focuses on six major topics:

• Waste Reduction and Reuse
  • NYSDEC has set goals to increase the amount of waste reduction and reuse through the support of legislative policy, education, and community engagement.
• Recycling and Recycling Market Development and Resiliency
  • NYSDEC plans to support the recycling market with the advancement of policies and education and by working closely with commercial, industrial, and institutional waste generators.
• Product Stewardship and Extended Producer Responsibility
  • NYSDEC will promote new legislation for packaging and paper products and will continue to support the state’s existing product stewardship programs.
• Organics Reduction and Recycling
  • NYSDEC is prioritizing food donation and food scrap reduction programs through relative legislation, policies, and education supporting the reduction of organic materials.
• Toxics Reduction in Products
  • The main goal of this major topic is to increase public awareness and to reduce the amount of toxic materials and contaminants through education and legislative policies.
• Advanced Design and Operation of Solid Waste Management Facilities and Related Activities
  • NYSDEC will continue to closely regulate and enforce compliance of Solid Waste Management Facilities (SWMF). They are also encouraging the reuse of Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D) by developing outreach programs that aim to maximize material reuse while minimizing illegal dumping. Policies and regulatory revisions are being implemented to closely monitor the greenhouse gas emissions of permitted SWMFs through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) evaluation requirements.

If you have questions about the new Solid Waste Management Plan, Walden is prepared to help. Give our solid waste experts a call at 516-604-5684.