Case Study: New York City Department of Sanitation achieves removal of 600,000+ lbs of household hazardous waste with Veolia North America

Veolia Organizes Events to Collect Household Hazardous Waste

When the New York City Department of Sanitation sought safe, convenient ways for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste, they engaged Veolia North America to design and run collection programs. Veolia North America established five permanent weekly drop-off locations (one in each borough) and staged annual spring borough-wide collection events to handle a wide range of household hazardous materials.

Veolia North America developed the state-required plans, coordinated site partners, supplied trucks, crews, tent sorting, carts and logistics, and made rapid staffing and layout changes on-site when participation surged. The program collected more than 600,000 pounds of material across five 2012 events and removes 20,000–30,000 pounds bimonthly from permanent sites; most material was recycled or blended for fuel, a small percentage was incinerated, and operational adjustments reduced wait times and improved throughput.

New York City Department of Sanitation

David Hirschler

Deputy Director of Waste Prevention