The commercial sanitation industry’s recycling rate fell to 21% over the last year, a new report finds, undermining New York City’s efforts to achieve zero waste by 2030. Leading cities, such as Seattle and San Francisco, recycle at rates three times higher than New York.
The report, “A Wasted Opportunity,” is authored by the Transform Don’t Trash NYC coalition, based on a review of official reports, covering 2017, from the approximately 30 waste and recycling facilities primarily handling commercial waste in the five boroughs. The industry’s 21% recycling rate is down from last year’s rate of 22%.
These findings are drawn from best available data from DSNY and self-reporting by the commercial waste industry, which may overestimate the rate of commercial recycling in the city.
Download Report