A recently introduced legislative package in the City Council will place more recycling bins in public spaces to encourage New Yorkers to recycle outside of their homes.
“We want people to be able to recycle more things in more places,” said lead bill sponsor Councilmember Jessica Lappin. “By expanding public space recycling, we’ll ensure that New Yorkers who want to do the right thing actually can.”
During a Monday, May 10 press conference in Astoria Park to discuss the legislation, Queens Councilmember Peter Vallone said, “People want to recycle; they just need to be given the opportunity to recycle.”
Although there are already about 300 bins in city public spaces, the new legislation will increase that amount significantly. Another component of the legislation is to create a textile recycling program in New York City.
In addition, it will improve the recycling done in the city’s public schools and agencies.
Education will be an important part of the bill. Letitia James, Solid Waste Management Committee Chair, said that it is “critically important to educate” people about recycling. The bill calls for recycling workshops and guides for residential recycling.
Eric Goldstein, the staff attorney for the National Resources Defense Council, said that it is necessary to remind the public of the importance of recycling.
Other aspects of the bill include creating yearly household hazardous waste collection events and paint recycling program; changing the tonnage mandate; and conducting various recycling studies.
“As we head into summer and New Yorkers and tourists spend more time outdoors at our world famous public attractions, this bill will give them the opportunity to pitch in and recycle, and make our city an even cleaner and greener place,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
