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Light Drizzle Locals question new recycling program
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“The idea is very good and important, but the way they decided to start the program is very disorganized, and I don’t understand what to do,” said Hila Levin, a resident of North Woodmere. “It takes time to learn everything and educate people about this.”
Under the state-mandated recycling program, residents must separate recyclable materials — including metal cans, aluminum foil, pans, plastic bottles and bags, cardboard, newspaper, white paper, regular mail, magazines and paper grocery bags — in the yellow recyclables-only containers the district provided to 18,000 homes.
Items that should not be put in the containers include glass and waste items such as aerosol cans, paint cans, plastic motor oil containers, Styrofoam, pizza and cereal boxes, and hard- and soft-covered books.
“I've never seen so many rules, restrictions and exceptions in any recycling program,” said a Woodmere resident.
After the first day of pickup, residents will have their recyclable containers collected on alternating Wednesdays.
“The distribution of the recyclables-only containers was a monumental task and took months of planning and preparation,” said Sanitary District 1 Commissioner Irving J. Kaminetsky. “The process was managed and executed successfully under the leadership of Superintendent [Phil] Mistero and teams of hard-working district employees. We encourage all residents to use their recyclables-only container and actively participate in this state-mandated, enhanced recycling program.”
Some sanitary district workers said they do not believe the recycling schedule is fair for homeowners. “The recycling program is a good idea, but it is not set up properly,” said a representative of the workers’ union. “For the containers to be sitting in the rear yard of the homes for two weeks is too long in this area. This is a wealthy district and the people here host parties. They already had a lot of recyclables before the pickup process even occurred.”
“There is potential for a change in the schedule,” said Nat Swergold, Sanitary District 1’s attorney and spokesman. “At the present time, we are going to follow the pattern we have set up. We will closely monitor the situation to look for a system that is the most productive possible.”
Some workers also say they are upset that the containers have to be placed in homes’ backyards or on one side, and not along the curb. “We would prefer curbside pickup of the containers because they will be very heavy,” the workers’ union representative said. “The containers will be full because pickup is only every two weeks. If the containers were along the curb, the process would be easier and our workload would be less. The current system is no benefit to anybody.”
Sanitary District 1 representatives said they are adamant that the recyclable not be placed along curbs for a number of reasons, including their appearance on the streets. “It is unattractive to have the containers on the curb,” Swergold said. “Another problem with having the containers along the curb is that there is a chance the tops could blow away, and then everything that was inside will spread all over the place.”
Anita Rothenberg, a resident of Valley Stream, said she was not even aware the new recycling process was taking place. “I didn’t know anything about it,” Rothenberg said. “It wasn’t made clear to me, and I never received any papers explaining the recycling procedure.”
The sanitary district has set up a recycling hotline, (516) 239-3606, for residents who have questions about the new process. Besides the advertisements and mailings that have informed homeowners, the district’s Web site, sanitarydistrict1.com, has been updated with information on the new program.
Even though there may be problems as the program begins, district officials say they are optimistic that everything will run smoothly and work well in the future. “The Board of Commissioners and staff of Sanitary District No. 1 want all residents to understand the enhanced recycling program and their responsibilities,” Kaminetsky said. “Resident support and active participation in this New York state-mandated program is needed in order for it to be successful. We encourage residents with questions to call our recycling hotline to get the answers and information they need. Resident participation will help the district meet its recycling goals.”
Comments about this story? ENemeroff@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
Under the state-mandated recycling program, residents must separate recyclable materials — including metal cans, aluminum foil, pans, plastic bottles and bags, cardboard, newspaper, white paper, regular mail, magazines and paper grocery bags — in the yellow recyclables-only containers the district provided to 18,000 homes.
Items that should not be put in the containers include glass and waste items such as aerosol cans, paint cans, plastic motor oil containers, Styrofoam, pizza and cereal boxes, and hard- and soft-covered books.
“I've never seen so many rules, restrictions and exceptions in any recycling program,” said a Woodmere resident.
After the first day of pickup, residents will have their recyclable containers collected on alternating Wednesdays.
Some sanitary district workers said they do not believe the recycling schedule is fair for homeowners. “The recycling program is a good idea, but it is not set up properly,” said a representative of the workers’ union. “For the containers to be sitting in the rear yard of the homes for two weeks is too long in this area. This is a wealthy district and the people here host parties. They already had a lot of recyclables before the pickup process even occurred.”
“There is potential for a change in the schedule,” said Nat Swergold, Sanitary District 1’s attorney and spokesman. “At the present time, we are going to follow the pattern we have set up. We will closely monitor the situation to look for a system that is the most productive possible.”
Some workers also say they are upset that the containers have to be placed in homes’ backyards or on one side, and not along the curb. “We would prefer curbside pickup of the containers because they will be very heavy,” the workers’ union representative said. “The containers will be full because pickup is only every two weeks. If the containers were along the curb, the process would be easier and our workload would be less. The current system is no benefit to anybody.”
Sanitary District 1 representatives said they are adamant that the recyclable not be placed along curbs for a number of reasons, including their appearance on the streets. “It is unattractive to have the containers on the curb,” Swergold said. “Another problem with having the containers along the curb is that there is a chance the tops could blow away, and then everything that was inside will spread all over the place.”
Anita Rothenberg, a resident of Valley Stream, said she was not even aware the new recycling process was taking place. “I didn’t know anything about it,” Rothenberg said. “It wasn’t made clear to me, and I never received any papers explaining the recycling procedure.”
The sanitary district has set up a recycling hotline, (516) 239-3606, for residents who have questions about the new process. Besides the advertisements and mailings that have informed homeowners, the district’s Web site, sanitarydistrict1.com, has been updated with information on the new program.
Even though there may be problems as the program begins, district officials say they are optimistic that everything will run smoothly and work well in the future. “The Board of Commissioners and staff of Sanitary District No. 1 want all residents to understand the enhanced recycling program and their responsibilities,” Kaminetsky said. “Resident support and active participation in this New York state-mandated program is needed in order for it to be successful. We encourage residents with questions to call our recycling hotline to get the answers and information they need. Resident participation will help the district meet its recycling goals.”
Comments about this story? ENemeroff@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
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