Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty today announced that four new heavily-trafficked sites have been added to the Department of Sanitation’s (DSNY) successful Public Space Recycling Program. Sixteen new sets of blue and green recycling receptacles have been placed at the four sites, which were selected based on pedestrian traffic volume, proximity to commercial districts and transportation facilities, and the volume of recyclable materials that were entering the waste stream in litter baskets. The blue receptacles collect bottles and cans and the green receptacles collect mixed paper. Today’s expansion builds on the sites included in the successful 13-week Public Space Recycling Pilot, which the Mayor and Commissioner Doherty began in April 2007. Public Space Recycling is part of the City’s landmark Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) adopted by the City Council in 2006. The SWMP provides an efficient and environmentally sound method for handling the City’s waste for the next 20 years.

“Now New Yorkers who read the paper on the subway or drink a bottle of water while commuting have more places to recycle their paper and plastics,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Increasing recycling rates is one of the ambitious goals in our Solid Waste Management Plan, and I hope to further expand public space recycling in the future.”

“Whether at home or on the street, New Yorkers want to recycle, and by expanding the Public Space Recycling Program we’re giving them even more opportunities to be environmentally responsible,” said Speaker Christine C. Quinn.  “This expansion in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island continues our commitment to increase recycling, and to include all five boroughs in efforts to be a greener city.”

“I commend the Mayor for expanding public space recycling and continuing the City’s commitment to make recycling a party of every citizens’ efforts to improve our environment, keep our city cleaner, and fight global warming,” said Sanitation and Solid Waste Management Committee Chair Michael E. McMahon.

“The siting of these new recycling receptacles continues the City’s implementation of its Solid Waste Management Plan as we manage to recycle as much of our waste as possible,” said Commissioner Doherty. “In 2006, the DSNY collected 1.7 million tons of recyclables – or about 16 percent of our residential waste. With these additions to the Public Space Recycling program, we expect to increase public awareness of the fact that recycling is one way to make our City cleaner, greener, and healthier.”

The new public space recycling locations are:

Bronx – White Plains Road: Brady Avenue to Pelham Parkway;

Brooklyn – Pennsylvania Avenue: Starrett City;

Brooklyn – Front Street: Brooklyn Heights; and

Staten Island – Staten Island Borough Hall: Stuyvesant Place at Hyatt Street.
The existing public space recycling locations are:

Bronx – Poe Park;

Brooklyn – Columbus Park;

Manhattan  – Battery Park City;

Manhattan – Union Square Park;

Manhattan – Whitehall Street Staten Island Ferry terminal;

Queens – Main Street commercial district in the Flushing section;

Queens -Hoffman Park;

Staten Island – Clove Lake Park; and

Staten Island –  Saint George Staten Island Ferry terminal.
During the 13-week pilot program, 1,974 bags of newspapers and magazines and 1,889 bags of bottles and cans were collected and removed from the waste stream. After collection, all items were recycled and examined for a waste characterization study, which determined that the program was effective.