Government Case Studies

For many years, the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island provided an inexpensive waste disposal option for New York City. However, a Task Force established in November 1996 by Governor George Pataki and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani issued a plan to phase out the Fresh Kills Landfill, which called for closing NYC’s last remaining landfill by December 31, 2001. The landfill closed ahead of schedule in March 2001, and is now being converted to park land.

The City’s new Solid Waste Management Plan, which details how NYC will manage its solid waste for the next twenty years, includes directives to reduce the volume of waste requiring export through waste prevention, recycling, and composting programs. Many City Agencies have implemented successful waste prevention and recycling programs in accordance with the 1996 Mayoral Directive on Waste Prevention and Efficient Materials Management Policies.

The case studies listed below describe programs implemented by NYC Agencies, as well as those implemented by local governments in other states. The level of detail varies by case study. If you notice any outdated information, or would like to suggest additional case studies, please email NYCWasteLe$$.

Case studies are organized according to the following topics:
waste prevention and recycling
composting
energy efficiency

ALSO SEE case studies in waste less in business for examples of the savings and environmental benefits businesses can achieve through waste prevention and recycling. For examples of local green building projects go to Green building in New York City.