New York’s commercial waste program expands with Bronx launch

Excerpt below, Originally posted in WasteDive By Cole Rosengren

The reshaping of the nation’s biggest commercial waste market has been many years in the making, with a complex bidding process and pandemic delays. This month’s expansion is the latest step in the new system taking shape.

The commercial waste zone program was created by a 2019 law, leading to the establishment of 20 non-exclusive zones with three carters each as well as a set of citywide contracts for containerized service. DSNY awarded contracts in early 2024 and has pledged to have all zones implemented by the end of 2027.

This month’s launch means the entire Bronx is now covered by the CWZ program. Full implementation must be done in both zones by Nov. 30.

Action Environmental, a subsidiary of IWS, and Royal Waste Services, a subsidiary of Waste Connections, have contracts in both zones. Recycle Track Systems and 5 Borough Waste Removal also each have one contract.

DSNY estimates the two zones collectively have 15,984 customers, based on data from the city’s Business Integrity Commission. This is up from an initial estimate of 11,319, following customer outreach. The number of customers in Queens Central also grew from an original estimate of 5,629 to a current total of 8,999 active accounts.

Carters have been working for months to educate customers about the new system and prepare their assets. For Action, this included investing in two new hauling facilities, expanding rail transfer infrastructure to export waste and opening a new MRF in New Jersey to handle volumes. The company is also considering upgrades at its existing Bronx MRF.

RTS also conducted a similar contract and education push, in partnership with its designated subcontractor City Waste.

“We focused on the cultural diversity of the Bronx, including having employees that could handle Spanish-speaking, Arabic-speaking and Chinese-speaking customers. And we’ll continue to do that as these zones roll out throughout New York City,” said CEO Greg Lettieri. “It is currently, and was, a large educational endeavor.”

The CWZ program excludes medical waste, but the Bronx rollout has still prompted concern from members of the Greater New York Hospital Association that will have to comply with the program for their non-medical waste. They, along with medical waste company Approved Storage and Waste Hauling, backed local legislation that would exempt regulated medical waste generators from participating in the program at all as of 2034. This could also include pharmacies, veterinary offices and other locations.

Read the full article on WasteDive

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