NYCHA Recycling

The NYCHA Recycling Committee supports the improvement of recycling at NYCHA and expansion of resident access to recycling across the City of New York

New york city housing authority

We collaborate with NYCHA officials, environmental justice organizations and residential leaders. Our efforts center residential involvement and program development across all NYCHA campuses.

The History of Recycling at NYCHA

New York City’s Public Housing Authority (known as NYCHA) houses over 500,000 New Yorkers in over 300 campuses across the five boroughs. Residents and caretakers alike have issues with maintaining proper waste management on NYCHA campuses. Recycling was not available to NYCHA residents until 2015, and the uptake of the program has been slow.

Over the past few years, NYCHA has sought to address recycling and waste management concerns through improvements to infrastructure, staffing policies and residential engagement. After securing $563 million for waste infrastructure upgrades in NYCHA’s City Capital Action Plan, NYCHA has made concrete plans to redesign waste yards and upgrade waste machinery. The Sustainability Agenda defines NYCHA’s waste diversion targets, which focus on bringing recycling centers and compost collection services to all NYCHA campuses.

INNER CITY GREEN TEAM

We support the Inner City Green Team’s innovative door-to-door recycling service at Wagner Houses, NYCHA in East Harlem. Learn more about their service >

NYCHA Recycling Committee Co-Chair, Diana Blackwell, gives the Keynote Address for the NYCHA Recycling Summer Forum

Founders of Inner City Green Team and Compost Power lead the discussion on Local Leadership: Residential Recycling and Sustainability Initiatives at NYCHA

Residents of East Harlem’s Wagner Houses participate in Inner City Green Team’s Reuse-a-thon

The Celebrate Our Earth event featured specialized recycling bins for sneakers and other items

Manhattan and Brooklyn SWAB members talk with NYCHA residents about the NYCHA Recycling Committee

Inner City Green Team hosted an all-day clothing swap and recycling festival for Earth Day

Compost Power and Green City Force post flyers to instruct residents on dropping off their food scraps

Green City Force members tend to fresh produce in the urban garden at Wagner House

2023 NERC Environmental Leadership Award

NYCHA Recycling Committee sends Brigitte Vicenty, Founder of Inner City Green Team, and colleague to 2023 NERC Conference to receive their Environmental Leadership Award

Use our interactive NYCHA Development Map

MEDIA

Inner City Green Team named Outstanding Organization at the NERC 7th Annual Environmental Leadership Awards Ceremony

NYCHA Observes ‘America Recycles Day’ Every Day of the Year

Inner City Green Team brings Recycling to NYCHA

NYCHA seeks RFI for waste containerization initiative

“Celebrate Our Earth” Waste Collection Event at Wagner Houses

NYCHA Begins Design and Construction of State-of-the-Art Pneumatic Waste Collection System at Polo Grounds Towers in Upper Manhattan

NYCHA and Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx Solid Waste Advisory Boards (SWAB) Convene Panel Discussion on the Future of Recycling in New York City

Resources

Full recording of NYCHA Recycling Summer Forum

Interactive Map of NYCHA Residences

MSWAB’s Residential Recycling Guide for Multifamily Housing

NYCHA’s 2021 Pest & Waste Management Action Plan

NYCHA’s 2021 City Capital Action Plan

NYCHA 2.0 Waste Management Plan

NYCHA’s 2021 Sustainability Agenda (includes 2016 edition and progress reports)

NYCHA-resident led recycling initiative: Inner City Green Team

NYCHA-resident led compost initiative: Compost Power

NYCHA-resident led urban farming initiative: Green City Force

NYCHA’s Blueprint for Change

GLOSSARY

New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT)

Rental Assistant Program (RAD)

U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Solid Waste Advisoy Board (SWAB)

JOIN THE NYCHA RECYCLING COMMITTEE

The Manhattan SWAB NYCHA Recycling Committee consists of residential leaders, zero waste professionals and community advocates. The committee meets monthly on the first Thursday from 5:30-6:30 pm ET.

Contact us to join or learn more about how you can help support NYCHA’s growing recycling programs.