Intro 157-C, known as the Waste Equity bill and sponsored by Council Member Antonio Reynoso, was signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio on August 16th at the Williamsburg Community Center. This legislation provides much needed relief to communities in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens that have disproportionately shared the city’s waste management infrastructure and will prohibit the creation of new waste transfer stations in neighborhoods that handle at least 10 percent of the City’s waste.
“Half a million fewer tons of trash in these neighborhoods each year means cleaner air, less congested streets, and safer environments for our kids,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Council Member Antonio Reynoso said, “Intro 157’s enactment into law will finally provide protections for communities that have shouldered a disproportionate burden in the City’s waste processing system for decades. Low income communities of color will no longer serve as the dumping ground for the majority of the city’s trash. I applaud Mayor de Blasio for signing this legislation and Commissioner Garcia for being a critical supporter and partner. I want to thank the dozens of advocates who worked tirelessly to make today a reality and Speaker Johnson for shepherding this legislation through the Council.”
“For far too long, our communities were forced to deal with traffic congestion, asthma, and the reckless drivers that come along with an industry processing tons of trash in their backyards. Thanks to the hard work of advocates, community leaders, and leadership from our city government, I’m proud to say help is on the way,” said Council Member Stephen Levin.
Ten days prior the mayor signed Int. 981-A. This bill familiarly known as the Airbnb bill requires online short-term rental platforms that provide booking services for a fee to report data about those transactions to the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement.
Council Member Carlina Rivera’s experience as a housing organizer on the Lower East Side inspired her to sponsor this bill. “I heard countless stories from tenants and organizers about illegal short-term rentals jolting them out of the security and stability of an affordable home. Now, with Int. 981, we will finally address this crisis by requiring short-term rental services to report vital data to the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement, allowing them to pursue more effective oversight and action over the bad actors that exist throughout this largely unmonitored market,” she said when thanking Mayor de Blasio for signing this legislation.
