COMPTROLLER URGES REINSTITUTION OF METAL, GLASS AND PLASTICS RECYCLING

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New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today stated in a letter to Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty that as a result of a lowered recycling bid from a City contractor and continued refuse disposal cost increases, the City would pay almost $50 less to recycle than it currently pays for waste disposal.

"The average cost of waste disposal fees is $69 per ton compared with $19 per ton to process recyclable," said Comptroller Thompson. "Without question, recycling makes sound economic sense for New York City."

The total cost of collecting and processing recyclables averages $125 per ton, while the average cost to manage refuse totals $135 per ton. "It is important to note these figures do not take into account the significant transportation and personnel costs associated with moving waste to New Jersey and Long Island from Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island." Comptroller Thompson stated.

The Comptroller also said that "The Department of Sanitation's Fiscal Year 2003 Preliminary Mayor's Management Report states that fees attributable to the waste export program averaged $105 per ton in Fiscal Year 2002. This is an increase of $17 over Fiscal Year 2001, and our review shows that this trend will continue. We simply can no longer afford this. I urge the Department of Sanitation to reinstate the City's recycling program which is both fiscally and environmentally responsible."

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