City Hall – Council Member Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) was joined by Sustainable Flatbush and Brooklyn homeowners and tenants at City Hall to celebrate the long-awaited enforcement by the Department of Sanitation of a law prohibiting the distribution of unsolicited advertisements on properties with approved signs.

“Finally, New Yorkers can say ‘Stop the Junk’ and have the force of the law behind them, with the ability to file complaints directly against distributors,” said Felder. “The result will be cleaner streets, more livable neighborhoods, and less waste.”

Mark Levy of Sustainable Flatbush said, “Sustainable Flatbush strongly supports the Unsolicited Materials Law as part of our mission to promote sustainable living in Flatbush, Brooklyn. It is a prime example of thinking globally while acting locally. We vocally oppose the waste of thousands of pounds of paper that unsolicited materials represent. We call these materials Junk Litter and have to remove piles of flyers, menus and advertising papers from our porches, lobbies and front lawns. No one should have the right to dump litter this way.  We hope that the businesses that promote this practice understand that they are not only wasting paper, but are wasting money too.”

The new state law, sponsored by Assemblyman Mark Weprin and Senator Frank Padavan, required enforcement rules from the City’s Department of Sanitation, which took effect Saturday, August 2, 2008 following a lengthy public review process.  The Department of Sanitation rules provide that the law will be enforced by civilian complaints.  The City will provide complaint forms to building owners and tenants to levy fines of $250 on violating distributors.  Complaint forms are available from 311 and www.nyc.gov, as is a downloadable approved sign.

(YWN Desk – NYC)