The NYC Sanitation Department's budget has tripled over the past 17 years, despite Mayor Bloomberg's waste management reforms. With recycling rates dismally low and a long-range management plan stalled, Bill de Blasio will have to clean up the mess.
To stabilize the rising costs of New York City's waste management, Mayor Michael Bloomberg undertook two key reforms. First, he suspended plastic and glass recycling when he entered office. "The recycling rate — meaning, the percentage of material kept out of landfills — was 20 percent before the cuts," reports Amy Eddings. "In 2005, a year after they were restored, it was 16.8, according to the Mayor's Management Report for Fiscal Year 2005. It's never been higher than that. If you add the collection of old electronics, motor oil and yard waste, New York City's overall recycling rate is about 27 percent. By comparison, San Francisco's recycling rate is around 77 percent, Los Angeles, about 62 percent, and Seattle about 51 percent."
In 2006, the Mayor pushed through the second key reform - a controversial Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP). But, as Eddings explains, "The SWMP has become a swamp, mired in litigation and politics. Just one of the seven facilities the city was supposed to build is operating."
With recycling rates dismally low and implementation of the SWMP stalled, "Mayor Michael Bloomberg is leaving the incoming administration of Bill de Blasio with a pile of unfinished business."
FULL STORY: Bloomberg and Garbage: A Pile of Unfinished Business
New York City Polystyrene Ban Took Effect New Year's Day
Thanks to two recent New York State court rulings, disposable food and beverage containers will no longer be made from polystyrene in the nation's largest city. The ban was originally proposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in February 2013.
New York City’s Trash Problem
The city had ambitious goals to reduce waste, but millions of tons of garbage are still sent to communities around the country each year.
Waste Management Best Practices (And Their Impact on Urban Planning)
Urban planners can play a role in ensuring the best possible waste management practices are implemented whenever possible.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
