New York’s Strongest...at Your Disposal!
 
February 2017
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We’re #1 — and Not Stopping Now!

DSNY now leads the largest curbside organics collection program in the United States — and soon we’ll be adding new districts every single month. Brooklyn North 1 and 16 are first up, with brown bins dropping in April. By the end of 2018 every New Yorker will be able to set out their food scraps and yard waste or have easy access to drop-off locations.

Want to be a Behind the Bin star? Email Trash Talk if you’d like to be featured in our posters and social media posts.

 
New Inside Look


Angels

Soon, you’ll be greeted with a new DSNY intranet when opening your browser. The modern design will keep track of the links you click the most and make navigating to those pages easier. Plus, it will highlight DSNY news and let us share upcoming events.

 
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Guilt-free TV
Counter to Compost
DSNY Curbside Organics: Setup
DSNY Organics Collection: Maintenance
Drop Off Food Scraps in NYC!
 
Harvard Commends DSNY Programs!
BRS’ Apartment Programs Win Prestigious Award

Our Bureau of Recycling and Sustainability was honored by Harvard University’s Kennedy School! The school’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance gave the Bright Ideas Award to DSNY for our e-cycleNYC and refashionNYC programs. These two initiatives help residents of apartment buildings recycle their textiles and electronics. Harvard’s annual program highlights innovations in American government — with an eye toward inspiring other jurisdictions to follow suit.

 
February is Black History Month

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Year of the Rooster

photo Happy Chinese New Year! We’re now in the Year of the Rooster. Specifically, 2017 is the year of the Fire Rooster — and the zodiac sign and element are believed to affect one’s personality and destiny.

Image credit: Jessica Panicali

 
Take Care!

Workers facing frigid temperatures risk occupational illnesses such as hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot and skin ulcers. Here’s how to protect yourself:

  • Layer loose clothing for better insulation;
  • Keep your head covered by a hat, which can keep body heat from escaping;
  • Protect your ears, face, hands and feet;
  • Wear waterproof and insulated boots;
  • Take breaks in warm locations; and
  • Wear gloves when touching metal surfaces.
For more winter protection tips, call the Health Care Facility at (212) 437-4457 or visit the CDC to learn about cold stress.

 
Good to Know
  • Tax day is April 18 this year — that’s three extra days to procrastinate. Or … you may be eligible to use the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs’ Free Tax Prep service.
  • Cell phone battery running low while you’re out and about? Use one of the new LinkNYC kiosks. They have free and fast WiFi, free domestic calls, maps, direct access to 911 and 311 — and USB charging ports! Find LinkNYC near you.
 
In Case You Missed It

photo Broadway superstar and US founding father Alexander Hamilton was a composter! Back in 1803, he wrote a letter to his wife Eliza, explaining the process: “Let a separate compost bed be formed near the present one, to consist of three barrels full of the clay which I bought, 6 barrels of black mould, 2 wagon loads of the best clay on the hill opposite the Quakers place” and “one wagon load full of pure cow dung.”

Image credit: Wikipedia

 
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In the Hopper

Our recycling and organics programs are positioning the Department as a leader in sustainability. Want to learn more about our environmentalism initiatives? Attend our Zero Waste Lunch Series!

  • Billion Oyster Project — Thursday, February 16. A bivalve expert explains how these creatures are critical partners in cleaning New York City’s waterways. 125 Worth Street, Room 819, 1300-1400.
  • Design Guidelines for Zero Waste — Thursday, March 2. Learn how building design experts are making it easier for residents and tenants to reduce the waste they generate. 44 Beaver Street, 12th Floor, 1200-1300.
Questions, topic requests or want to attend? Email NYC Organics Senior Program Manager Louise Bruce.

 
The Social Scene





 
From the Commissioner

Kathryn Garcia

Zero waste is no easy goal. Implementing our citywide organics program is our largest operational change in 25 years — and our success depends upon leading 8.5 million New Yorkers to develop new lifelong habits. That’s why we’re making it easier for everyone to do their part.

To achieve zero waste, we are working to develop programs that deal with each of the types of materials that New Yorkers throw away. Think food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste. Together, they comprise nearly one-third of what we send to landfills. Instead, we’re collecting that material to transform it into compost for our soil and clean energy to heat our buildings — and we’re making it easier for people to help by expanding curbside organics collection and food waste drop-off sites. By contrast, single-use plastic bags require a different strategy. They’re not easily recycled — and New Yorkers use more than 9 billion of them each and every year. Most of them wind up in landfills, where they may take thousands of years to decompose. To help lead New Yorkers toward better, more sustainable habits, we’ve produced 400,000 orange tote bags, made almost entirely of recycled plastic (of course). Our colleagues are fanning out to neighborhoods across the City to share them and prepare New Yorkers for the 5-cent bag fee that takes effect next week.

Change begins with each of us, and as members of New York’s Strongest we’re all potential ambassadors for DSNY. I encourage you to embrace this role. Begin separating your food scraps. Recycle as much as you can. Share why it’s important with your friends and family. Together, we’re making a difference for ourselves and future generations.

Thank you for all that you do to keep New York City healthy, safe and clean.

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New York City Department of Sanitation
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