(BROOKLYN, N.Y.) New York City Council member Shahana Hanif, who represents District 39 in Brooklyn, introduced legislation Thursday that would create a mandatory universal composting program throughout the city.
The proposed bill would begin a transition from voluntary organic waste curbside collection to mandatory collection for residential buildings citywide and expand the brown bin program to every building by the end of 2023.
"This is an environmentally conscious, economically sound policy that has the potential to create hundreds of green jobs and dramatically reduce our City's carbon footprint," Hanif said in a tweet.
The bill would also require the City of New York Department of Sanitation to develop outreach and education materials to inform residents of the program, as well as post such materials on its website. The materials would explain organic waste and the benefits of curbside organic collection, how the program will be implemented and how to properly source separate organic waste.
Hanif also showed support for council members Sandy Nurse, who introduced a bill establishing a goal of zero waste for New York City by 2030, and Keith Powers, who pushed for a bill that would mandate DSNY establish and operate at least three organics drop-off sites in each community district.
In addition to Nurse and Powers, council members Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, James F. Gennaro, Erik Bottcher, Tiffany Caban, Gale Brewer, Carlina Rivera, Julie Menin and Adrienne Adams supported the legislation.
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