Help New York City Achieve Zero Waste by 2030
The Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (MSWAB) is a volunteer citizens’ advisory board dedicated to helping Manhattan contribute to New York City's zero waste goals.
Our monthly meetings are open to the public, and all are encouraged to join!
MANDATORY CURBSIDE “COMPOSTING” began on 10/6!
Mailers to all residents of Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island, announcing the expansion of mandatory curbside organics collection to these boroughs in October, have been mailed! If you did not receive a mailer - let us know! This long- awaited expansion provides an opportunity to divert approximately 44% of the organic waste that fills our black plastic garbage bags - that costs over $200M/year to export away to landfills and incineration - and feeds rats!
New from MSWAB
MSWAB Trash Walk with Manhattan BoROUGH PRESIDENT Mark Levine
MSWAB members went on a Trashwalk with Borough President Mark Levine. One of our observations with him was as the school year ends, schools, parents and students often find themselves with piles of school supplies. What we found in front of the local public school was piles of bags of school supplies and clothing. Rather than tossing them out, Anna Sacks of the MSWAB Legislation Committee suggested to the borough president that the Department of Education consider recycling/reuse/repurposing at the end-of-the year school supplies by having a free table where students can take supplies home for the summer. This would support in helping families with the cost of school supplies.
We also stopped at a local bakery where we discussed bakery waste and we showed the borough president bags of baked good that were discarded. Freshly baked breads and pastries don't contain any preservatives and they are usually not individually wrapped prior to sale which means they go stale quickly. Bakeries also operate on a thin margins and over production is an ongoing issue leading to food waste. We suggested a solution to the borough president on how donations of extra items can be donated to local food pantries and senior centers.
MSWAB x NYCHA Balcones Tour
MSWAB’s 2023 Intern
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Recycling Guides & FAQS for Multifamily Buildings
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Since it’s founding in 1989, The Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (MSWAB) has been a leading force for sustainability in NYC.
MSWAB is a citizens’ advisory board dedicated to helping NYC achieve its zero waste goals. For more than 30 years, the MSWAB has advised the Manhattan Borough President, City Council, Mayor’s Office, and other groups on the development, promotion, and operation of NYC’s waste prevention, reuse, and recycling programs. Monthly meetings are free and open to the public.
Mailers to all Manhattan residents, announcing the expansion of mandatory curbside organics collection to our borough, have gone out! Order your free bin NOW! Deadline is August 30 to receive by October 6 with final deadline October 30, 2024. It's time to talk to your building management and get ready!