NYCitySen$e Project

Faced with the closure of the Fresh Kills landfill and following the Mayoral Directive 96-2, the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and the Mayor’s Office of Operations initiated the NYCitySen$e Project to provide waste prevention and recycling assistance to specific operations within 11 NYC Mayoral Agencies.

The Agencies that participated in the Project:

• Assigned a high-level staff person to oversee Agency participation in the program.

• Provided DSNY and its consultant, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), access to Agency staff to conduct interviews and complete questionnaires.

• Allowed DSNY and its consultant to make on-site observations; review purchasing and waste management records; and to conduct a one-day waste sort to characterize and quantity the wastes generated by targeted operations. The charts below summarize the findings of the Agency waste sorts.

After assessing purchasing and operating procedures, DSNY and SAIC prepared a Waste Prevention Opportunities Report for each Agency and worked with the Agencies to develop implementation plans. Each Agency also received technical assistance to implement, monitor, and document the results and costs savings associated with the waste prevention strategies.

At the conclusion of the Agency waste prevention initiatives, DSNY and SAIC conducted a series of eight seminars to disseminate program findings, and to motivate other City Agencies to implement similar waste prevention and increased recycling programs. For a detailed description of NYCitySen$e, read the Project Summary.

The following NYC Mayoral Agencies participated in the NYCitySen$e Project:

Department of Small Business Services
Department of Citywide Administrative Services
Department of Environmental Protection
Department of Health
Department of Juvenile Justice
Department of Sanitation
Department of Transportation
Financial Information Services Agency
Fire Department
Human Resources Administration
Taxi and Limousine Commission

Department of Business Services

The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) works to improve the level and quality of City services provided to the business community; and to enhance the business climate by cutting “red tape” and intervening on behalf of City businesses.

The second and third floors of the SBS office at 110 William Street participated in the NYCitySen$e Project. The work conducted by these floors involves administration, finance, marketing, and economic development, as well as security and enforcement.

NYCitySen$e identified the following waste prevention opportunities for SBS, including:

• Issue a waste prevention policy statement.

• Designate a storage area for reusable office supplies.

• Coordinate with the telephone company to deliver fewer telephone books.

• Test the use of rechargeable batteries for pagers.

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Department of Citywide Administrative Services

The Division of Municipal Supply Services (DMSS) within the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) handles procurement and distribution of $500 to $700 million in goods and services to user Agencies throughout the City.

Two operations within DMSS participated in the NYCitySen$e Project: the Central Storehouse and the Surplus Warehouse.

NYCitySen$e identified the following waste prevention opportunities for DCAS, including:

• Review the Federal Comprehensive Procurement Guideline standards for recycled-content products to see what additional items can be offered through the DCAS Storehouse Catalog.

• In the DCAS Storehouse Catalog, label recycled-content and environmentally preferable products, so agencies can easily identify these items for purchase.

• Educate City Agencies about how to return metal drums and wooden pallets to suppliers, so that these items can be reused.

• Specify that all photocopiers and printers delivered to City Agencies be set to default to the duplex mode.

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Department of Enviornmental Protection

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) oversees environmentally related concerns, such as reducing and controlling air and noise pollution; supervising the handling of hazardous materials; administering programs to mitigate asbestos and lead hazards; and operating and maintaining the City’s water supply and wastewater treatment systems.

Three DEP operations participated in the NYCitySen$e Project: the Photocopy/Reproduction Room, the Stockroom, and the Employee Cafeteria.

NOTE: In the Waste Stream tables, percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

NYCitySen$e identified the following waste prevention opportunities for DEP:

• Reduce paper use by setting photocopy machines to default to the duplex setting.

• Investigate the use of rechargeable batteries and products that use rechargeable batteries.

• Establish a toner-cartridge recharging/recycling program.

• Investigate the feasibility of purchasing durable serviceware.

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Department of Health

The Department of Health (DOH) enforces public health laws and regulations, implements disease control measures, maintains vital statistics, and promotes healthy lifestyles.

The DOH Distribution Center’s administrative area and warehouse participated in the NYCitySen$e Project.

NOTE: In the Waste Stream table, percentages do not total 100% due to rounding.

NYCitySen$e identified the following waste prevention opportunities for DOH:

• Expand the furniture-refurbishing program.

• Encourage staff to use reusable mugs.

• Initiate a pilot program to test recycled computer disks.

• Review operations to see if the amount of new corrugated boxes purchased annually can be reduced.

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Department of Juvenile Justice

The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) provides for the temporary custody and care of juveniles accused of committing delinquent or criminal acts and detained by police arrest or court order.

Three DJJ operations within the Bronx Juvenile Detention Center participated in the NYCitySen$e Project: the Cafeteria/Kitchen, Admissions, and Health Clinic.

NOTE: In the Waste Stream tables, percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

NYCitySen$e identified the following waste prevention opportunities for DJJ, including:

• Introduce reusable dishware.

• Implement bulk distribution of cereals, milk, and juice.

• Consider electronic distribution of daily status reports.

• Donate residents’ used tennis shoes/sneakers that are provided by DJJ to a charitable organization.

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Department of Sanitation

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) cleans the City’s streets, collects trash and recyclables, plows snow, tows abandoned vehicles, and clears vacant lots.

Two DSNY facilities participated in the NYCitySen$e Project: the Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling (BWPRR) and the Queens West 5 Sanitation Garage.

• BWPRR oversees the Department’s recycling, waste prevention, and composting programs.

• Two DSNY Bureaus operate in the Queens West 5 Garage: the Bureau of Cleaning and Collection (BCC) and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BME).

NOTE: In the Waste Stream tables, percentages do not total 100% due to rounding.

NYCitySen$e identified the following waste prevention opportunities for DSNY:

• Establish a toner-cartridge refurbishing program.

• Recycle oil and fuel filters.

• Extend vehicle preventive maintenance program.

• Recap used tires.

• Purchase re-refined lubricating oil.

• Purchase more effective soap for truck washing.

• Clean rags and reuse them instead of discarding them.

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Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation (DOT) provides for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people, vehicles, and goods within New York City. The Department ensures the quality of the streets, highways, waterways, bridges, tunnels, and sidewalks. Additionally, DOT oversees street signage, traffic signals, street lighting, and parking facilities.

Four DOT Sign Shop operations participated in the NYCitySen$e Project: the Sign Stock Room, the Machine Shop, the Art Room, and the Overnight Painting Storage area.

NOTE: In the Waste Stream table, percentages do not total 100% due to rounding.

NYCitySen$e identified the following waste prevention opportunities for DOT:

• Send unused items from the Sign Shop to other DOT operations or DCAS.

• Identify less-toxic substitutes for several products used in DOT operations.

• Provide Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response training to Stock Room staff.

• Initiate a paint conservation policy.

• Seek a reuse option for the plastic end pieces from rolls of vinyl through working with the vendor.

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Financial Information Services Agency

The Financial Information Services Agency (FISA) prepares and distributes daily financial management reports for all City Agencies and is responsible for issuing checks for the City of New York.

Staff from FISA’s warehouse and computer operations participated in the NYCitySen$e Project.

NOTE: In the Waste Stream tables, percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

NYCitySen$e identified the following waste prevention opportunities for FISA:

• Reduce the amount of unused blank paper resulting from misfed roll paper and the ends of the rolls that cannot be used in FISA operations.

• Initiate FMS 2000 training to encourage desktop printing of necessary portions by City employees as an alternative to FISA full reports printing.

• Return plastic tube caps from computer paper rolls to the vendor.

• Investigate recycling options for plastic film and plastic strapping.

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Fire Department

The Fire Department (FDNY) protects the life and property of City residents and visitors from fire and critical health threats through emergency response, fire prevention, education, and investigation.

The Fire Department’s Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) participated in the NYCitySen$e Project.

NOTE: In the Waste Stream table, percentages do not total 100% due to rounding.

NYCitySen$e identified the following waste prevention opportunities for FDNY:

• Develop a waste prevention outreach program and train supervisory staff.

• Establish an oil-filter recycling program.

• Install an overhead bulk fluids dispensing system to reduce spills.

• Use re-refined oil in some vehicles.

• Improve metal drum recycling program through reorganization of the collection process.

• Establish a fluorescent lamp recycling program.

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Human Resources Administration

The Human Resources Administration (HRA) provides eligible New Yorkers with food, shelter, temporary financial assistance, medical care, counseling, and other essential services.

Two areas within HRA’s Medical Assistance Program (MAP) participated in the NYCitySen$e Project: Client Services and Administrative Services.

NOTE: In the Waste Stream tables, percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

NYCitySen$e identified the following waste prevention opportunities for HRA:

• Initiate a pilot program to test the impact of two-way envelopes.

• Establish a toner-cartridge recharging/recycling program and encourage the purchase and use of recharged toner cartridges.

• Initiate a mailing list review and update program to reduce the quantity of undeliverable mail that must be shredded and disposed.

• Initiate discussion with state agencies to eliminate the use of carbon forms.

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Taxi and Limousine Commission

The Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) is responsible for licensing and regulating New York City’s taxicabs, limousines, neighborhood car services, vans, and wheel-chair accessible ambulettes.

Two TLC operations at their Long Island City location, the Administrative Offices and the Communications Room, participated in the NYCitySen$e Project.

NYCitySen$e identified the following waste prevention opportunities for TLC:

• Establish a recycling program for such items as paper, cardboard, and beverage containers.

• Ensure signs are posted directing staff to use the duplex capability of the photocopying machines.

• Review cleaning products to ensure the use of less-toxic or non-toxic cleaning products.

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