How Scavenging Impacts NYC How Scavenging Impacts NYC Recycling ProgramRecycling Program

Scavengers are putting the Department of Sanitation's Scavengers are putting the Department of Sanitation's recycling program at risk by removing the most valuable recycling program at risk by removing the most valuable

recyclables, both redeemable containers and metal items.recyclables, both redeemable containers and metal items.

Scavengers place our environments at risk by mishandling CFC-Scavengers place our environments at risk by mishandling CFC-containing appliances (such as air conditioners and containing appliances (such as air conditioners and

refrigerators) that residents have set out for proper CFC refrigerators) that residents have set out for proper CFC removal and recycling by Sanitation.removal and recycling by Sanitation.

-DSNY Rules and Regulations-DSNY Rules and Regulations

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• The cost of that service is offset by the The cost of that service is offset by the recyclables collected. As those recyclables recyclables collected. As those recyclables diminish through scavenging, the offsets are lost. diminish through scavenging, the offsets are lost. Widespread scavenging leads to increases in Widespread scavenging leads to increases in NYC's collection and processing costs because NYC's collection and processing costs because city recycling trucks aren't filling up and the city's city recycling trucks aren't filling up and the city's recycling vendors aren't receiving the valuable recycling vendors aren't receiving the valuable materials they expected.materials they expected.

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• It cannot be forgotten that NYC hires a unionized workforce to reliably It cannot be forgotten that NYC hires a unionized workforce to reliably and consistently collect recyclables set out at the curb and deliver and consistently collect recyclables set out at the curb and deliver those recyclables to contracted vendors that similarly employ a well-those recyclables to contracted vendors that similarly employ a well-paid workforce with benefits to process those same recyclables.paid workforce with benefits to process those same recyclables.

• When recyclables are illegally siphoned from this system by the When recyclables are illegally siphoned from this system by the activities of scavengers, these jobs and the infrastructure needed to activities of scavengers, these jobs and the infrastructure needed to maintain themare, and will increasingly be, in jeopardymaintain themare, and will increasingly be, in jeopardy

• www.cleanercurbs.comwww.cleanercurbs.com