New York City May Ban Styrofoam; Looks to Double Recycling Rate

Allan Gerlat, News Editor

February 14, 2013

1 Min Read
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New York City may ban Styrofoam containers and is looking to double its recycling rate to 30 percent by 2017, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in his state of the city address.

Bloomberg said in his address that the Styrofoam plastic container is virtually impossible to recycle itself and increases the cost of recycling by as much as $20 per ton because it has to be removed. He will work with the city council to adopt a law banning Styrofoam food packaging from stores and restaurants.

The city has developed a comprehensive plan to achieve its recycling goal, including putting 1,000 new recycling containers on the streets and making it possible to recycle more plastic.

New York City also plans to launch a pilot recycling program to collect curbside organic waste from single-family homes in Staten Island. If it succeeds, Bloomberg said, the program will go citywide.

 

About the Author

Allan Gerlat

News Editor, Waste360

Allan Gerlat joined the Waste360 staff in September 2011 as news editor. He was the editor of Waste & Recycling News for the first 16 years of its history, and under his guidance the publication won 27 national and regional awards.

Before Waste & Recycling News, Allan worked at another Crain Communications publication, Rubber & Plastics News, which covers rubber product manufacturing. He began with the publication as associate editor and eventually became managing editor, a position he held for nine years.

Allan is a graduate of Ohio University, where he earned a BS in journalism. He is based in Sagamore Hills, in northeast Ohio.

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