July 2004

New York City Hires Firm for Waste Characterization Study

Orlando, FL— Management consulting and engineering firm R. W. Beck, Inc. has been selected to assist New York City with a multi-year project to study the city’s solid waste composition.

The purpose of the study is to analyze the characteristics of the city’s solid waste stream in order to better plan for the future waste management needs of a city of more than eight million people.

Jonathan Burgiel, National Director of Solid Waste Services for R. W. Beck, says, “We will use our extensive knowledge of waste characterization to provide city leaders with the data to make accurate decisions on how to best manage the city’s waste stream in the future. We have an aggressive schedule, but I am confident that we will be able to assist the Department of Sanitation with its future planning efforts.”

By understanding the characteristics of the solid waste generated, the city will be in a better position to design a solid waste management system for a community as diverse and large as New York City. The project, set to begin this month and end in 2007, is key to determining current recycling rates in the city and whether additional materials in the waste stream can be economically diverted for recovery in the future.