Eric Goldstein (NRDC) on composting capacity, transfer stations, and 911A

Good morning, Chair.

Thank you for having us at this hearing.

Eric Goldstein from the Natural Resources Defense Council.

I'll summarize our written testimony.

We strongly support Intro 369.

The issue of compost processing capacity could be the most important issue to come before this committee this year.

This could be a legacy issue for you.

Here's why.

Composting organics are the single largest portion of the waste stream.

A third of our waste is food scraps, yard waste, food soil, paper.

If it goes to landfills, it creates methane.

If it goes to incinerators, its high moisture content fouls up the burning process and generates localized pollution.

If it goes to...

Sewage treatment plants for co-digestion, while that may be better than landfilling and incineration,

mixing it with sewage sludge means that you cannot compost the digestate, and so it's not the highest and best use for compostable material.

We definitely need more capacity for composting in city, which also brings jobs and could save money in our exporting costs over time.

We hope to be able to work with you.

and Sandy Nurse to get this bill in shape where it can be accepted.

But we do say that it's hard to find the more important issue for the long-term sustainability of our system than to address the issue of getting additional composting capacity in the city.

Very quickly, we also strongly support Intro 367.

This is an environmental justice issue that has lingered for years.

Three communities get the overwhelming bulk of commercial waste.

Opening up the modern marine transfer stations in the city's own rail facilities to commercial waste could alleviate that burden.

We know that Commissioner Anderson has the expertise, the staff, and the authority to get this work done if he is authorized to do so by the council.

Finally, we strongly oppose Intro 9-11.

This bill would directly run counter to the intent of the council when it passed the waste zone legislation.

It was debated for years.

In fact, only one of the three Staten Island council members voted against this introduction.

So in other words, there was support.

They had the opportunity.

There was support.

The program is ongoing now.

And it would also set a horrible precedent to exempt one borough from

from citywide legislation.

So we urge that that program be sent to the landfills.

And last but not least, we also strongly support 356, allowing community composting operations to charge for organic waste drop-offs.

We explain why in our testimony.

Thank you for your attention.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.