Dive Brief:
- Align, an advocacy group based in New York, is pushing for New York City to franchise its commercial waste collection services.
- The group maintains that commercial waste is a "highly dysfunctional and outsized private system" while arguing that a franchise system would guarantee better environmental and labor practices citywide.
- The vice president for government affairs for National Solid Waste Management, David Biderman, stated they would review the report but have serious concerns that commercial waste franchising is not an effective approach to waste management and recycling as it reduces choice, eliminates competition and may raise costs for consumers.
Dive Insight:
According to Align's vision, the franchise system would accept bids for contract haulers, who would provide services for zones created by the city. Criteria for the chosen companies would include increasing recycling rates, reduce fleet emissions and meet labor standards while improving safety. The report released by Align is titled "Transform Don't Trash NYC."
