New York City and Long Island Waste Removal Changes
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced proposed regulations for review to further protect public and the environment by making significant changes to several of the State’s current regulations governing the management of solid waste.
The proposed changes to improve solid waste management include but are not limited to:
- Restrictions on allowing composting, mulch facilities/operations at certain facilities, and prohibiting construction and demolition debris processing facilities in mines on Long Island to ensure the protection of drinking water quality;
- Enhancements to the State’s process for certain Beneficial Use Determinations for the reuse of materials;
- Clarification of terminology used to describe excavated material and fill material to ensure the protection of the environment;
- Limiting the use of certain excavated material in Long Island, Westchester County, and the New York City Watershed;
- Expansion of exemptions for municipalities collecting source-separated recyclables and changes to help municipalities that hold household hazardous waste collection events;
- Strengthened landfill liner requirements to further enhance the long-term protection of groundwater and new measures required to control odors and better limit landfill gas emissions; and
- Increasing requirements for the transportation of excavated material.
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