Kirstie Pecci, Executive Director
WASTE IN WESTCHESTER
MOVING TOWARDS REAL SOLUTIONS
kpecci@just-zero.org
Our country’s waste management practices are expensive, outdated, and unsustainable – not to mention toxic.
Just Zero: A Zero Waste advocacy organization.
Corporate Pollution
Healthy Environments
Preventable Waste
Zero Waste Systems
How We Work
Where You Are Now
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Failing Systems and Policies
Locked into polluting burning and burying
Weak state programs
Lack of good Zero Waste Plan
Making WIN corporation money, while not delivering local jobs
For Systems to Work
Cheapest waste is the waste you don’t create
Systems that Producer Pays For
Real composting and recycling
Contracts, Transparency, and Enforcement
Trash by the Numbers
MSW STREAM BY WEIGHT IN NEW YORK STATE (2023 Report):
32% Paper/Cardboard
24% Food Scraps and Yard Trimmings
14% Plastics
7% Metals
5% Textiles
4% Glass
3% Wood
10% Miscellaneous
For a Zero Waste Westchester
Decide Now
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1. Zero Waste Plan
Community Driven Process for residential and ICI sectors
Transparent and Data Driven
Goals in adherence with ZWIA Zero Waste Definition and Hierarchy
Short term 5-10 yr, concrete, enforceable goals
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2. Unit Based Pricing/PAYT
Westchester Trash Bags = Big reductions in waste
Dumpster sensors
Can work within cart system, and free bags for struggling households
Pays for disposal and readjust as needed. Track recycling carefully
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3. Food and Yard Waste
COMPOST!!!!!!! Home, drop off, collection, windrow and anaerobic digestion
Many Good Local jobs!
Tipping fees much cheaper than dsiposal!
No toxic processing (sewage sludge) or depackaging.
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4. Producer Pays and Bans
Modernize the Bottle Bill – nips to 3 liter, glass, plastic, metal, 10c deposit
PRRIA – Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act
Black plastic? Balloons? Wet wipes? Produce bags and stickers? Go big – Ban PVC pipes, plastic clothes, plastic carpet
Cardboard Recycling – Huge OPPORTUNITY
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5. Good Contracts
Produce less, pay less
Transparent tracking and reporting
Real recycling standards, real composting standards
Easy local enforcement, and clear responsibilities for all contractors
You can save tax dollars, reduce your trash by 75%, and increase good local jobs in the next five years.
Trash by the Numbers
MSW by weight (% estimates based on 2023 NYS Report):
If about 650,000 tons of MSW are burned in Westchester a year:
208,000 tons of Paper/Cardboard
156,000 tons Food Scraps and Yard Trimmings
91,000 tons Plastics
45,000 tons Metals
32,5000 tons Textiles
26,000 tons Glass
19,500 tons Wood
65,000 Miscellaneous
Don’t Get Fooled Again!
Waste Management and Reju propose textile recycling in Rochester, NY
Don’t panic!
You can do this!
Thank you! Become a member!
Sign up to donate at least $5 or more per year. That’s it!
Because we can’t do this without you! Your support helps us implement just and equitable Zero Waste solutions across the country.
WHY?
HOW?
Call your Assembly Member before you leave today!