October 2014
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Making Commercial Waste Hauling More Efficient...Two Complex Issues Under Discussion in the City Council.

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Two highly complex bills that could ultimately affect waste haulage costs are now either in discussion or being considered by the City Council. Because of the complexity of the legislation, the assessment below is a bottom-line summary, with more information in future BOMAfacts as the issues progress.

The first bill, which was introduced Oct. 7, represents an effort to ultimately reduce truck hauling traffic in the areas of the city with the most waste transfer stations. It would do so by reducing the thousands of hauling permits now in circulation, and therefore reduce truck traffic in those neighborhoods. That of course, sounds like a winning proposition—except that it raises the strong possibility of increasing the costs to haul the waste away. Fewer permits means less competition, and could lead to longer distances being traveled to transfer waste. Associated costs with these and other changes could also be passed on to the buildings involved.

This bill could move quickly and is already stirring up opposition on both the public and private sides. BOMA/NY representatives, including Amy Marpman, COO of the recycling and sustainability consultant Great Forest, Inc., met this month with a coalition of groups established by the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) to deal with the new bill and related issues. The NWRA is hoping to coordinate an aggressive campaign against the legislation.

The second issue being examined by BOMA/NY and our NWRA partners is the establishment of a franchise system for commercial waste within the city. Zones would be established, and contracts would be limited—only one to several haulers to pick up ALL commercial waste within that zone.

Those in favor say it is a more efficient way to pick up waste, as it would reduce truck trips (and the related congestion associated with fewer trips), allow for better labor practices and more, although it’s not clear that these benefits would occur. waste handlers are largely opposed, while the Department of Sanitation has not yet weighed in.

Hearings on issues concerning commercial waste, including franchising, will likely be heard in the near future by the Council’s Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management.