The NYCHA Journal

The NYCHA Journal has informed and inspired residents since 1970, covering the news, contributions, and uplifting stories of the NYCHA community while providing the latest information on Authority initiatives.

woman holding up recycling bags
NYCHA Residents Sustainability Top Story 

The Future of Recycling at NYCHA & in NYC

LaToya

As part of the launch of a new recycling pilot at Wagner Houses, an event called “NYCHA Recycling: For the City, For the Planet, For the People” was held at the development to discuss the future of recycling at NYCHA and throughout New York City. 

The new recycling pilot will provide Wagner residents with door-to-door recycling pickup and composting to help reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, as well as events and education to help improve recycling rates. The amount of NYCHA’s landfill-bound garbage could be cut almost in half if more materials were recycled and recyclables were properly sorted. The pilot is led by Inner City Green Team (ICGT), in partnership with Green City Force (GCF) and Compost Power – organizations that are all driven by current and former NYCHA residents who’ve made sustainability work their mission. ICGT was founded by Mott Haven Houses resident Brigitte Vicenty, GCF Corps Members are NYCHA residents ages 18 to 24, and Compost Power was founded by a former resident. 

This pilot is one of many initiatives NYCHA is undertaking to improve waste management. “NYCHA is making significant investments in its recycling and waste management infrastructure to make sure our buildings and grounds can be free of visible garbage, litter, and pests,” said Vlada Kenniff, NYCHA’s Vice President of Energy & Sustainability. “We applaud the green initiatives at Wagner that will make recycling and composting convenient for NYCHA residents.” 

woman speaking at podium
Vlada Kenniff, NYCHA’s Vice President of Energy & Sustainability, gave the keynote address.

Ms. Kenniff was one of two keynote speakers at the kickoff event – the other was NYCHA resident Diana Blackwell, Resident Association President of Samuel Apartments and member of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board. 

woman speaking at podium
Diana Blackwell, Resident Association President of Samuel Apartments and member of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board. Seated next to her are NYCHA staff members (from left to right) Al Ferguson, Vice President of NYCHA Waste Management & Pest Control; Ellen Zielinski, Director of Energy & Sustainability Programs; and Jose Oquendo, Director of NYCHA Waste Management.

The event also featured a panel with NYCHA’s Director of Energy & Sustainability Programs Ellen Zielinski, Vice President of NYCHA Waste Management & Pest Control Alfred Ferguson, and Director of NYCHA Waste Management Jose Oquendo, who discussed the future of waste management at NYCHA, providing an overview of the Pest and Waste Action Plan and a preview of NYCHA’s 2021 Sustainability Agenda. Future plans include installing new interior and exterior trash compactors, bulk crushers, and cardboard balers to manage trash and recyclables more effectively and efficiently. 

“NYCHA has been working over the past two years to train staff in industry best practices around waste management, pest control, and various recycling and sustainability initiatives,” Mr. Ferguson said. “The ability to continue this work in concert with the Federal Monitor, and other stakeholders invested in this process, will allow us to strengthen that commitment.” 

Another panel included Brigitte Vicenty and John Johnson, Inner City Green Team Co-Founders and Domingo Morales, Founder of Compost Power discussing resident participation and engagement in recycling and other sustainability activities, including the new pilot at Wagner. 

group of people standing on stage.
All the speakers at the event.

The event was hosted by the NYCHA Recycling Committee of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB), with support from the Brooklyn SWAB and moderated by Manhattan SWAB NYCHA Recycling Committee Chair DeNeile Cooper. SWABs are volunteer citizen’s advisory boards dedicated to helping New York City reach its zero waste goals.