Solid-waste management is one of the most important functions of municipal government and consumes an ever-increasing percentage of municipal budgets. It also has tremendous carbon impacts. Long-haul waste exporting is responsible for fully seven percent of the City of New York's carbon emissions. Waste that is landfilled releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is even more damaging to the environment than carbon. Additionally, the production of items that are eventually disposed of uses tremendous amounts of natural resources and energy and generates its own carbon impact.

 

With the amount of waste statewide continuing to grow, it is essential that policymakers develop a new and comprehensive strategy to handle waste in a sustainable manner. This new approach must include consideration of new disposal technologies (including waste to energy), a new emphasis on recycling that recognizes the realities of 21st century consumption patterns and a comprehensive strategy for waste reduction. Developing such a comprehensive plan will improve our environment while reducing the cost of waste management for municipalities and consumers alike.

The state is developing a new Solid Waste Management Plan. We will work with the Legislature to ensure that this plan includes important solid waste management goals including:

• Creation of a sustainable waste export and transportation system.
• Encouragement of clean waste-to-energy projects.
• Support the use of new waste disposal technologies. Disposing of solid waste is becoming increasingly expensive and difficult to manage. New technologies such as waste-to-energy systems could dramatically lower export costs while providing an environmentally friendly way to dispose of solid waste. The state should earmark funds to support municipal experiments with new waste disposal technologies.

 

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