Inquiry
I submitted a request in November 2025 for disaggregated reporting of DSNY tonnage data—specifically, four (4) separate monthly tonnage categories by sanitation district (curbside, containerized, school truck, and other), with each category reported across all four streams (refuse, paper, MGP, and organics).
At present, refuse, paper, and MGP tonnages are reported as lump sums that combine these distinct sources. This issue has been raised by the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board and by former City Council Sanitation Chair Sean Abreu, including in at least one Council hearing, and is also of interest to members of the press. Among other effects, the lump sum approach produces lower calculable diversion and capture rates than would be observed under a disaggregated framework that isolates curbside collections. My original request included documentation outlining both the need for this data and the analytical basis for disaggregation. I understand, to a degree, the reluctance to disaggregate based on more containerization of refuse than recycling; and no containerization of organics, and the effects on the denominator. However, this approach obscures important information that was previously public.
To date, I have received no response. I have also heard informally that DSNY does not intend to implement this request. If that is the case, I respectfully request a formal response explaining the decision, with a level of detail commensurate with the original submission.
If the reluctance reflects operational changes—such as increased containerization of refuse in some districts or changes in school truck collection—I would welcome clarification on how these changes are currently represented in reported tonnage totals. My review of trends by material code in FOIL-released data suggests that such shifts may be relevant, but they are not transparent in the current dataset.
If DSNY has agreed to implement the request, in whole or in part, I would appreciate confirmation and information on the expected timeline for implementation.
Respectfully submitted,
***
