I think it’s fair to say we all recognize that NYC has a problem with trash, mainly in terms of effectively disposing of and managing a wide variety of waste. However, this article discussed in greater detail the issue of waste management within NYC, specifically the Upper East Side. What was nice was it contextualized the ongoing plan to open up a new Marine Transfer Station within the city’s growing waste problem. To begin, it’s completely mind-blowing that NYC has to dispose of around 50,000 tons of waste every day. That’s about 18,250,000 tons of garbage each year!! The article mentions that only 15% of NYC’s residential waste is recycled, which means approximately 15,512,500 tons of trash does not get converted into reusable matter. Even worse, the 15% is an eight percent decrease from the previous recycling percentage of 23%. The article also noted that corporations and “commercial entities” do not have to recycle; it’s optional for these businesses to recycle, even though they produce 75% of the city’s total garbage. To me, this represents a huge shortcoming of the city’s public policy. After GE’s PCB contamination of the Hudson and companies’ general indifference towards the environment, it only seems right that laws be passed to curb this toxic behavior. It seems problematic that regular citizens have to recycle but these corporations get away without having to do so, even when they generate the most waste. If recycling is an option, one that sadly is more costly and time-consuming, it will not be taken seriously.
I thought this article also did a good job of focusing in on NYC’s “throwaway” culture and our tendency to only look for short-term and geographically localized solutions. Opening up the new Marine Transfer Station does not at all seem like a good idea. Tbe site of the new station is opposite a community center for neighborhood kids. There is no way to gauge what effects this may have on their safety or health! In addition, there are various other local institutions within a close proximity of the new project. I understand that opening up the station would be easy because there is already an old transfer station that used to be in operation within the area. However, the Upper East Side did their part for years when the station was used and I don’t believe they should have to suffer. But of course, the problem then becomes well, how should the city tackle waste management. Unfortunately, if it is not this neighborhood, it has to be some other community. The article cites the city’s throwaway culture as the root of the problem. We have a “disposable mentality” that will not be fixed unless we encourage thoughtfulness and teach people to be more conscious of their actions. Perhaps the issue is that the city is not as united and unified as it needs to be. We don’t care if other people have to confront a problem if it doesn’t concern or involve us. That might be our biggest flaw.
Finally, what I felt that this article forgot to mention was the even more dangerous ramifications of reopening and expanding the Marine Transfer Station. I cannot help but wonder that if we begin to transport waste and garbage through our waterways, it will lead to increased water pollution and toxic chemicals in our water resources.
