Solid Waste Alternative Technologies Program: A Solution for New York City’s Garbage Problem - Fall

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This workshop report examines the challenges associated with New York City’s residential waste management system and proposes a Solid Waste Alternative Technologies Program to address long-term disposal needs. New York City generates roughly 13,000 tons of residential garbage each day, yet since the closure of the Fresh Kills landfill in 2001, the city has relied heavily on exporting waste to distant landfills and incinerators. This approach creates significant economic, environmental, and political risks. Exporting waste leaves the city vulnerable to rising transportation and disposal costs, dependence on private operators, and growing resistance from host communities in other states. Additionally, transporting garbage long distances increases emissions and environmental impacts, while traditional disposal methods such as landfilling and incineration raise concerns related to groundwater contamination and air pollution.

To address these challenges, the report proposes a program centered on advanced waste-processing technologies, particularly gasification and anaerobic digestion. Gasification involves heating waste at extremely high temperatures in low-oxygen environments to produce synthetic gas that can be used for energy generation, while anaerobic digestion accelerates decomposition in oxygen-free environments to produce methane for electricity production. The proposed system includes a network of six facilities—four dual-technology plants combining gasification and digestion processes, along with two standalone gasification plants. Some facilities would be located within New York City, while others could be sited in upstate communities willing to host them in exchange for economic incentives such as lower energy costs. Managed by a dedicated division within the Department of Sanitation, the program would include divisions responsible for facilities management, siting and permitting, community outreach, financial administration, and quality assurance. The report concludes that adopting alternative waste-processing technologies could reduce long-term disposal costs, generate energy, and increase the city’s control over its waste management system.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.