#24 Waste Management

Back to the Guide to Urban Farming Table of Contents>>

Information on Waste and Waste Management

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation is the best source of information about all types of waste, including solid waste, organic waste, and toxic and hazardous waste, as well as recycling and composting information.  Their resources include but are not limited to:

  • A listing of solid waste management facilities;
  • Information on the proper handling and disposal of special wastes, such as tires, used oil, and lumber pressure treated with chromated copper arsenate;
  • Information on all aspects of hazardous waste management; and
  • A list of composting facilities.

For this and more information, visit the Chemical and Pollution Control section of The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/.
The New York City Department of Sanitation Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling is a self-proclaimed “one-stop recycling, waste prevention, and composting resource” for New York City residents.  Their website also includes general information about local, state, and federal laws and legislation that pertain to solid waste management including recycling, composting, source reduction, and handling and disposal of hazardous waste.  Visit https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/contact/master-composter-certificate-course for more information.
The Cornell Waste Management Institute provides information about waste management with a focus on farm waste and organic materials, and includes information on the proper management and use of manure, compost, and sewage sludge to optimize soil quality and minimize health risks.  Visit their website at http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/ or contact cwmi@cornell.edu for more information.

Services

Most cities have local listing services where you can post unwanted materials, such as Freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org/) and the ReUseIt Network (http://reuseitnetwork.org/).
The Blue Book Building & Construction Network (http://www.thebluebook.com/) allows you to search for recycling centers in New York that accept construction materials such as asphalt and concrete, to be broken down and re-used.
Back to the Guide to Urban Farming Table of Contents>>

Avatar of Tara Hammonds

Tara Hammonds

Posted in

Leave a Comment