NEW YORK STATE SOLID WASTE CHARACTERIZATION PROJECT

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Waste Management Across New York

Funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) through the Environmental Protection Fund, this project explores current solid waste and recycling practices in New York State. The goal is to develop data-driven recommendations to improve these practices and achieve a more environmentally sustainable future for New York. The first phase of the project ran from 2019-2024 and will continue under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 2024-2029.

OUR SITES

We Have Gathered Samples From Multiple Sites

Contact us if your waste facility in New York State would be interested in our research team sorting samples from your location

RESEARCH TASKS

Engaging and Analyzing Solid Waste

1

Characterizing NYS Solid Waste

Students engage sampling solid waste and recyclables at waste management and recycling facilities throughout New York. Additionally, students conduct data entry, sampling event preparation and decommissioning, and analysis work.

Costs of A Recycling Program

Students update and adjust a model on the costs basis for a waste management program to meet all requirements of NYSDEC under a State law regarding economics evaluations of solid waste programs. Research is conducted to acquire costs data from several municipalities around New York State. Students are creating a user friendly interface to allow for solid waste managers to adjust default model parameters with local data.

2

3

Causes of Single Stream Market Failure

Students review and analyze the history of recycling and recycling facility technology with a focus on the impacts of the implementation of the Chinese National Sword policy in 2017-2018.

CONTENT

Photos & Videos

Photos and videos are taken at the site visits as the researchers sort the solid waste and recycling into categories as well as of the project researchers at work. Unless otherwise stated, photos and videos are taken by Sayidana Brannan-Douglas, an alumni Graduate Student Researcher in Task 1 and if they are used, credit should be given.