Local Law 199 is a key provision in NYC’s commercial waste zone initiative. Learn more about the law here and ensure that your business is compliant and contributing to the sustainability of the city.
For businesses in NYC, understanding Local Law 199 is crucial to ensuring you are compliant with the Commercial Waste Zones program in effect across the city. In fact, by learning about why this law was passed and how it benefits your business, you can easily get your operations up to speed and boost the sustainability of your operations.
But what exactly is Local Law 199 and what are its key provisions? In this article, we’ll explore those questions to ensure your business is ready to streamline its waste management requirements. Read on to learn more.
Why Was Local Law 199 Introduced?
As part of its commitment to improving living conditions and sustainability for all of its citizens, and its aspirational 2030 zero-waste goals, NYC is in the process of redrawing its waste management systems. Among other things, this means wholesale changes to the way commercial waste is collected, with the aim of making the city cleaner and safer.
Historically, New York’s waste management systems have been fragmented and inefficient. With little in the way of forward planning, private waste haulers and carters would crisscross the city, often on overlapping routes. This disjointed approach created an excessive number of trucks on the streets, increased traffic congestion, and elevated emissions from waste vehicles.
Local Law 199 aims to put an end to this by consolidating waste collection and creating a more manageable and environmentally friendly system. Today, the city is divided into commercial waste zones, each serviced by a designated set of licensed haulers that were selected through a RFP. The law seeks to reduce truck miles traveled, cut down on emissions, and improve safety on the city’s streets, as well as boost recycling rates and reduce waste going into landfill.
Key Provisions of Local Law 199
Alongside the RFP (Request for Proposals) process where private haulers competed for the right to service each CWZ in the city, Local Law 199 and the Commercial Waste Zones Bill also introduced numerous other provisions to support the new system. Below we look at these in more detail.
- Creation of DSNY Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ) — The city has been divided into 20 zones, and each zone is serviced by a limited number of licensed carters. This aims to reduce overlap and improve efficiency.
- Environmental Requirements — The law emphasizes environmental justice, pushing haulers to reduce their carbon footprint. Carters are required to use trucks that meet emissions standards, thereby contributing to NYC’s zero waste goals.
- Pricing Transparency — To protect businesses, the law mandates that pricing for commercial waste services be transparent and competitive.
- Improved Safety Standards — The law introduces measures for improved safety, including monitoring truck routes and ensuring that carters comply with Business Integrity Commission (BIC) standards.
- Organics Collection and Recycling — The law sets a strong focus on separating organics from general waste, requiring carters to offer recycling services, as part of NYC’s larger goal to divert waste from landfills.
- Public Hearing and Stakeholder Engagement — Local Law 199 was shaped through extensive stakeholder engagement, including public hearings involving local communities, businesses, environmental advocates, and carters.
Benefits of Local Law 199
While there may be some disruption for businesses during the transition to the new system, Local Law 199 is set to establish numerous benefits for all NYC citizens as the CWZ program becomes established. These include:
Wrap-Up
Local Law 199 has introduced numerous changes to the way businesses manage waste within NYC. Today, you will need to ensure you know which haulers are operating within your areas, as well as choose a specific hauler for your operations. However, increased sustainability, transparency and accountability, as well as potential cost savings mean that all businesses will benefit from NYC’s improved waste management infrastructure.
RTS will operate in the following zones:
- Bronx West
- Upper Manhattan
- Queens Southeast
- City-wide Containerized
For more information on commercial waste collection in your area, contact RTS today to discuss your specific requirements.