Learn about the gritty history of waste management in New York City, to contextualize just how important the Department of Sanitation is to the life of our metropolis. This presentation will also explore the historical, environmental, and social impacts of waste, as well as the origins of our current “throw-away society.”

Instructor: Dr. Robin Nagle, Clinical Professor in Liberal Studies at NYU & DSNY Anthropologist-in-Residence

Take a look behind the scenes at how the world’s largest sanitation workforce keeps NYC running. Learn about a variety of essential DSNY programs, from waste collection, to street cleaning, to snow removal. This presentation will also explore the dangers of sanitation work, as well as the role of DSNY in disaster recovery efforts.

Instructor: Michael Marrero, Deputy Chief, Operations Management Division, NYC Department of Sanitation

DSNY is overhauling the City's commercial waste industry to make NYC cleaner and safer. Mandated under Local Law 199 of 2019, Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ) creates a regulatory framework to establish new safety standards for workers in the commercial carting industry, improving service for businesses, and reducing harmful emissions from waste hauling vehicles. Learn about the timeline, challenges, and significance of implementing this program.

Instructor: Monica Hanley, Senior Advisor, NYC Department of Sanitation

Explore the challenges and opportunities of containerization and learn how the future of waste management will look like in New York City. This module will go over the latest plans the city has to keep waste off the streets, reclaim public space, and improve quality of life for residents.

Instructor: Rebecca Kriegman, Chief of Staff and Assistant Commissioner of Policy & Planning, NYC Department of Sanitation

Landfilling is the end result of a linear, “take, make, waste” model of consumption. In this module, learn the basics of a circular economy and ways that businesses and manufacturers can rethink traditional supply chains and minimize negative environmental impacts.

Instructors:

• Jessica Long, CSO and Managing Director at Closed Loop Partners

• Alissa Westervelt, Operations Lead, Donations & Reuse, Solid Waste Management, NYC Department of Sanitation

Organic materials make up about ⅓ of New York City’s waste stream, and when sent to landfill produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This module will focus on food waste: the biggest opportunity for developing recycling infrastructure and programs.

Instructor: Jen McDonnell, Deputy Commissioner, Solid Waste Management, NYC Department of Sanitation

Learn about the environmental, health, and safety impacts of electronic waste. This presentation will also explore how DSNY manages electronic waste, and how it works with a company called ERI to repair, refurbish, and recycle these valuable materials.

Instructors:

• David Hirschler, Senior Director of Sustainability & Legislative Compliance at ERI

• Kate Kitchener, Director, Resource Recovery, NYC Department of Sanitation

Learn about the environmental and social impacts of textile waste, as well as the DSNY programs and partnerships aimed at diverting textiles and clothing from the waste stream.

Instructor: Tsering Lama, Community Coordinator, NYC Department of Sanitation

Explore the fascinating world of waste and water. Learn how our city manages to continually supply clean water for a population of over 8 million residents. This module will cover how we get our water, what happens to the water after we use it, and what we can all do to help keep our water systems healthy. We’ll also take an exciting peek into the inner workings of the largest wastewater treatment facility operated by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection - the Newtown Creek Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility.

Instructor: Robin Sanchez. Director of Education, NYC Department of Environmental Protection

Learn about how waste management practices can contribute to environmental injustices, and how certain parts of NYC are affected by waste more than others. You will also explore how everyone in NYC can play a role in advocating for environmental justice.

Instructor: Daniel Chu, Energy Planner for the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA).