This means that there are different waste collection systems for residential and business garbage, with DSNY responsible for only part of it.
TRANSFER
Driving to a transfer station
After drivers finish their collection routes, they drive to the transfer station that their company uses. In these transfer stations, waste will be loaded into larger trucks to be sent outside the city.
Most of the biggest haulers are also transfer station owners, while the smaller haulers will use larger companies' transfer stations for a fee. The City also relies on these private facilities for transferring residential and institutional waste.
(Click map to replay animation)
TRANSFER
Driving to a transfer station
After drivers finish their collection routes, they drive to the transfer station that their company uses. In these transfer stations, waste will be loaded into larger trucks to be sent outside the city.
Most of the biggest haulers are also transfer station owners, while the smaller haulers will use larger companies' transfer stations for a fee. The City also relies on these private facilities for transferring residential and institutional waste.
(Click map to replay animation)
Clustering of transfer stations
Most transfer stations are concentrated in a few areas in New York City, which were historically zoned for industrial use. These areas are largely home to low-income communities and communities of color.
As a result of this concentration, about 60% of all waste generated in New York City flows through the transfer stations located in North Brooklyn, the South Bronx, and Southeastern Queens.*Calculated from NYSDEC C&D Processors and Transfer Stations Annual Reports, 2015.
Clustering of transfer stations
Most transfer stations are concentrated in a few areas in New York City, which were historically zoned for industrial use. These areas are largely home to low-income communities and communities of color.
As a result of this concentration, about 60% of all waste generated in New York City flows through the transfer stations located in North Brooklyn, the South Bronx, and Southeastern Queens.*Calculated from NYSDEC C&D Processors and Transfer Stations Annual Reports, 2015.
Loading waste for export
Since there are no landfills or incinerators in New York City, transfer stations act as consolidation centers for sending waste elsewhere.
Inside the transfer stations, collection trucks unload waste onto the tipping floor. Front end loaders will then place the waste into large containers, which will be transported by semi-trucks or trains to landfills and incinerators outside the city.
Local impacts
Transfer stations generate impacts in the form of odors, increased truck traffic, and resulting air pollution.
Another concern with transfer stations receiving mostly commercial waste is that the private collection trucks are usually older and more polluting than the City’s.*“New York City Commercial Refuse Truck Age-out Analysis,” M.J. Bradley & Associates LLC. In addition, they usually run at night to avoid traffic, creating noise issues that disturb residents.
Local impacts
Transfer stations generate impacts in the form of odors, increased truck traffic, and resulting air pollution.
Another concern with transfer stations receiving mostly commercial waste is that the private collection trucks are usually older and more polluting than the City’s.*“New York City Commercial Refuse Truck Age-out Analysis,” M.J. Bradley & Associates LLC. In addition, they usually run at night to avoid traffic, creating noise issues that disturb residents.
COLLECTION ROUTES
Long routes
Private collection routes can be very long and inefficient, since they have to go wherever their customers are, thus increasing miles traveled and pollution generated.
Studies have shown that in some cases a single street block can be serviced by up to 20 different haulers.*"Dirty, Wasteful & Unsustainable," Transform Don't Trash NYC.
(Click map to replay animation; map data adapted from Private Carting VMT Analysis, 2016)
Commercial waste franchising
In response to concerns over the inefficiency of private collection, the City's Department of Sanitation has been studying whether to implement exclusive zones for collection by a single company.
This system is also called "franchising" and is prevalent in California and other large cities such as Chicago.*Waste 360.
A study commissioned by the City has recently found that vehicle miles travelled could be reduced by 50 to 70% through the adoption of a waste franchising policy.*Private Carting VMT Analysis, 2016.
Commercial waste franchising
In response to concerns over the inefficiency of private collection, the City's Department of Sanitation has been studying whether to implement exclusive zones for collection by a single company.
This system is also called "franchising" and is prevalent in California and other large cities such as Chicago.*Waste 360.
A study commissioned by the City has recently found that vehicle miles travelled could be reduced by 50 to 70% through the adoption of a waste franchising policy.*Private Carting VMT Analysis, 2016.
Opposition to franchising
Opponents of waste franchising argue that it will drive smaller companies out of business by concentrating customers into a few major companies, while also driving collection prices up.
But one study has pointed out that the current market is already dominated by a few players, with the 20 largest companies serving 81% of customers.*Private Carting Market and Cost Analysis, 2016.
RECYCLING
Recycling rates are low
A study commissioned by the City has found out that recycling rates by commercial haulers are around 26%. This number is low, considering that about 51% of the waste generated by businesses could be recycled.*New York City Commercial Solid Waste Study and Analysis, 2012 Summary Report.
And although recycling is mandated by the City for all businesses, studies and interviews have shown that it is often not done and not enforced.*NYC Commercial Sanitation Workers Say There's "Virtually No Recycling".
One explanation offered for the low recycling rates among businesses is that they receive little or no financial incentive from waste haulers to recycle or reduce their waste.*"Dirty, Wasteful & Unsustainable," Transform Don't Trash NYC.
RECYCLING
Recycling rates are low
A study commissioned by the City has found out that recycling rates by commercial haulers are around 26%. This number is low, considering that about 51% of the waste generated by businesses could be recycled.*New York City Commercial Solid Waste Study and Analysis, 2012 Summary Report.
And although recycling is mandated by the City for all businesses, studies and interviews have shown that it is often not done and not enforced.*NYC Commercial Sanitation Workers Say There's "Virtually No Recycling".
One explanation offered for the low recycling rates among businesses is that they receive little or no financial incentive from waste haulers to recycle or reduce their waste.*"Dirty, Wasteful & Unsustainable," Transform Don't Trash NYC.
WASTE EXPORT
Long distances for disposal
After waste is placed into long-distance trucks at transfer stations, it is then sent outside of the city for disposal.
Commercial waste is usually sent to landfills, sometimes up to 500 miles away. What dictates the destination are the tipping fees that commercial carters are charged to dispose of their cargo at these landfills, which are market-driven and can vary widely.
The largest private waste companies also own landfills, and will generally use them for disposal. These companies include IESI NY, owned by Waste Connections; and Interstate Waste Services, a subsidiary of Action Environmental.
(Click map to replay animation)
WASTE EXPORT
Long distances for disposal
After waste is placed into long-distance trucks at transfer stations, it is then sent outside of the city for disposal.
Commercial waste is usually sent to landfills, sometimes up to 500 miles away. What dictates the destination are the tipping fees that commercial carters are charged to dispose of their cargo at these landfills, which are market-driven and can vary widely.
The largest private waste companies also own landfills, and will generally use them for disposal. These companies include IESI NY, owned by Waste Connections; and Interstate Waste Services, a subsidiary of Action Environmental.
(Click map to replay animation)
But this is just a part of the story.
As part of its commitment to become a zero waste city by 2030, New York is seeking to reduce commercial waste disposal by 90 percent.
To do so, the City is considering adopting a waste franchising system; encouraging large commercial buildings to recycle more through audits and a Zero Waste Challenge program; revising and simplifying recycling rules for businesses; and requiring all food service establishments to separate food waste for composting.
But this is just a part of the story.
As part of its commitment to become a zero waste city by 2030, New York is seeking to reduce commercial waste disposal by 90 percent.
To do so, the City is considering adopting a waste franchising system; encouraging large commercial buildings to recycle more through audits and a Zero Waste Challenge program; revising and simplifying recycling rules for businesses; and requiring all food service establishments to separate food waste for composting.
Addressing commercial waste is particularly important in planning for a zero waste New York, since it accounts for about 27% of all waste generated in the city.
See what other waste journeys New York City's waste can take |
Waste Journeys was created for Getting to Zero, the third installment of Open House New York’s Urban Systems Series. Getting to Zero is made possible by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Digital content and research by Bernardo Loureiro.
Photos by (in order): Roey Ahram; Milton Correa; Cleanup North Brooklyn; and Patrick Copley. Map data by OpenStreetMap contributors; NYC DCP; DSNY; NYS DEP. Collection routes map adapted from "Private Carting VMT Analysis," Sam Schwartz.
Addressing commercial waste is particularly important in planning for a zero waste New York, since it accounts for about 27% of all waste generated in the city.
See what other waste journeys New York City's waste can take |
Waste Journeys was created for Getting to Zero, the third installment of Open House New York’s Urban Systems Series. Getting to Zero is made possible by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Digital content and research by Bernardo Loureiro.
Photos by (in order): Roey Ahram; Milton Correa; Cleanup North Brooklyn; and Patrick Copley. Map data by OpenStreetMap contributors; NYC DCP; DSNY; NYS DEP. Collection routes map adapted from "Private Carting VMT Analysis," Sam Schwartz.