Worker stories: Orrett Ewen

For nine years Orrett Ewen worked as a helper for Sanitation Salvage, a carter that primarily serves customers in the Bronx and is one of the largest in the city. He was required to work for 16 to 17 hours

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Worker stories: Wilson Perez

Wilson Perez, a former Queens County Carting worker, has direct experience of many of the problems with the private sanitation industry. Whenever he complained to the company owner about his long shifts, he was given two choices: “work or go

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A still of an animation featuring a sad blue and white anthropomorphic milk carton in a pile of trash.

Where does NYC’s commercial trash go?

Transform Don't Trash NYC is proud to premiere “Where does NYC’s commercial trash go,” a short animated video that looks at how the unregulated commercial waste industry in New York City is endangering workers, destroying the environment and overburdening low-income communities and communities of color with waste. The coalition partnered with the Center for Urban Pedagogy and animator Cole Hannan, along with Teamsters Joint Council 16 members Allan and Plinio and community members from The POINT CDC to produce the video.

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Not At Your Service: A Look at How New York City’s Commercial Waste System is Failing Its Small Businesses

In interviews with more than 500 business owners conducted for this report, one theme became clear: the commercial carting industry needs to change. Despite a major overhaul two decades ago, intended to eradicate the organized crime associated with the industry, standards to ensure that private haulers process waste sustainably, transparently, and at a fair price are greatly lacking.

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