New York's policies and programs have removed 320 million tons of recyclables from waste stream, reduced emissions by 1 billion metric tons
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced Sept. 1 marks the 25th anniversary of New York's statewide adoption of local recycling laws. Since 1992, local source-separation programs have captured and diverted more than 320 million tons of recyclable materials from disposal resulting in an estimated net emission reduction of 1 billion metric tons of CO2, the equivalent of taking 211 million cars off the road for one year.
"Twenty-five years of reducing, reusing and recycling New York's waste have proven the power of conservation in our fight to protect our natural resources for future generations. Our recycling programs are putting thousands of New Yorkers to work in the state's booming green economy while cutting the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and preventing pollution from harming our air, waters and lands," Seggos said. "Like his father before him, Gov. Cuomo is committed to carrying on the progressive policies that have made New York state the birthplace of some of the world's most effective recycling programs and facilities."
The New York State Solid Waste Management Act of 1988, signed into law by Gov. Mario M. Cuomo, required municipalities to adopt local laws or ordinances requiring the separation and segregation of recyclable or reusable materials from solid waste by no later than Sept. 1, 1992.
In addition, since its inception in 1994, New York's Environmental Protection Fund has invested more than $155 million in funding to municipalities to support recycling infrastructure, recycling coordinators, and household hazardous waste management programs. Under Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's leadership, the state has increased the EPF to $300 million and partnered with local governments, business and environmental organizations to maintain, expand and promote waste reduction, reuse, recycling, organics diversion and product stewardship programs that encourage more sustainable practices and conserve our natural resources.
At the governor's direction, state agencies have also achieved significant waste reduction, recycling and organics diversion efforts through state procurement and sustainability efforts. Agencies have reduced the amount of solid waste generated by more than half (51 percent) over the past seven years, and agencies currently report recycling rates of 70 percent.
Each year, the New York State Returnable Container Act, or "Bottle Bill," recycles more than 4.5 billion plastic, glass and aluminum beverage containers, totaling over 300,000 tons of recyclables, and eliminating approximately 200,000 metric tons of CO2, the equivalent of taking 9,000 garbage trucks off the road for one year.
Additionally, DEC is strengthening the state's solid waste regulations (Part 360). New York has adopted product stewardship laws using an extended producer responsibility model that require the take-back and reuse or recycling of electronic waste, rechargeable batteries, and mercury-containing thermostats.
Innovative initiatives the state has implemented to further reduce waste include:
•Organics management program with organics-recycling facilities to reduce and divert food waste from the waste stream and reduce emissions.
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New York State Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act of 2010, a comprehensive electronic waste (e-waste) law that requires manufacturers who sell or offer for sale covered electronic equipment such as computers, computer peripherals, televisions, small-scale servers and small electronic equipment, to establish a convenient acceptance program for the collection, handling, and recycling or reuse of e-waste free of charge to most consumers. Since its implementation, more than 520 million pounds of electronic waste from New York consumers has been recycled or reused instead of being sent to landfills, waste combustion facilities, or other improper disposal methods.
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The New York State Mercury Thermostat Collection Act requires thermostat manufacturers to establish and maintain a program for the collection, transportation, recycling and proper management of out-of-service mercury thermostats at no cost to New York state or consumers participating in the program. A total of 21,099 thermostats were collected from New York state consumers on behalf of manufacturers during calendar years 2013-16.
State Sen. Tom O'Mara, chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, said, "It's a landmark anniversary commemorating an initiative and an action that has made a fundamental difference for the short- and long-term quality of environmental protection in New York state."
Assemblyman Steve Englebright, chairman of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, said, "Recycling is one of the easiest and most effective ways we can create more sustainable communities. It is thrilling to celebrate that our local municipalities across the state have been recycling for 25 years. Over time it has become an engrained behavior and by continuing to keep plastic, glass and other recyclables out of the waste stream, we are pushing ever toward New York's overall emissions goals. I am proud to say that New York has been a leader in this field, and I applaud all of our local governments for carrying out these valuable programs."
Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown said, "The City of Buffalo has embraced mandatory recycling from the beginning. My administration remains committed and has strategically added to the city's recycling programming to divert waste from the landfill."
