Dive Brief:

• The National Waste & Recycling Association (NW&RA) is disputing a report, “Getting the Fiscal Waste Out of Solid Waste Collection in New York City,” that recommends New York City franchise its commercial waste pick-up.
• The NW&RA cited a recommendation by the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) that suggests franchising commercial waste would save about $300 million every year. NW&RA disputes this figure and said “there would not be any cost savings.”
• The waste and recycling trade organization does back other recommendations made in the CBC report, including some prescribed ways to increase cost efficiency for collection services. 

Dive Insight:

Thomas Toscano, chair of NW&RA’s New York City Chapter, said, “Contrary to the CBC’s suggestion, assigning commercial franchises to a small number of carters in each district will not lead to a reduction in collection costs… just the opposite will occur.”

Toscano also states that, based on experience, small businesses in the city that are already struggling will be negatively affected due to an increase in collection costs.