As we close 2017, let’s reflect up just how many “firsts” we achieved this year – above and beyond our regular collection, cleaning and plowing.

We developed new tools to interact with the public. Residents can now schedule collection appointments for bulk items, and we started and are expanding appointments for electronic waste collections. We created and launched the DSNY Info app, which gives New Yorkers easy access to our Department.

We continued our charge toward zero waste. Our work is becoming increasingly important as we lead the effort of zero waste to landfills. Among our successes in 2017, two of our partnerships reached milestones this year: refashionNYC and ecycleNYC have now kept 10,000 tons of electronics and textiles from being tossed with trash. And let’s not forget organics. Now, 3.3 million New Yorkers have curbside collection or convenient drop-off sites. Plus, our organics requirements for larger commercial food companies are now in effect.

We approached long-time challenges in new ways. For example, we launched the Talk Trash New York anti-litter campaign and worked alongside our sister agencies to mitigate rodents.

We achieved all this while promoting skilled leaders in our agency, continuing to build our workforce, combatting severe weather 11 times – and responding to the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico. We’ve always known we’re the best team in New York City. This year, we proved it yet again. Thank you for your dedication keeping New York City a great place to live, work and visit – and I wish you warm holidays and a happy, healthy and meaningful 2018.