Dive Brief:

• The state of New York has reworked its solid waste regulations, largely to put an end to illegal dumping in and near Islip Town. The new redraft covers seven areas of waste, from construction and demolition (C&D) debris to biohazard wastes.
• Some of the new requirements would be:
  • Cradle-to-grave tracking of C&D waste
  • Rules on odor and contamination from mulch facilities
  • Requiring waste transporters to register with the state and show documentation of origin and disposal information for more than 10 cubic yards of material
  • Management of historic fill
• The draft will be discussed at three public hearings beginning June 2, and there will be a public comment period until July 15. The DEC must adopt the new rules within one year of the last public hearing, slated for June 7.

Dive Insight:

The proposed changes are intended to provide an enforcement tool to mitigate environmental and public health threats resulting from illegal dumping and specifically improper procedures at large mulch facilities.

"These new regulations will help reduce contamination threats while safeguarding natural resources so that we can ensure a healthier and safer environment for communities all across this state," Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said in a statement, as reported in Newsday.

Assemblyman Steven Englebright, a catalyst for illegal dumping reform, is pleased, calling the draft a "historic and meaningful step forward."

New York's crack down on illegal dumping doesn't stand alone. It will join other plans in cities across the country, such as San Jose, CA, St. Louis, and Worcester, MA.