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Major Victory in Coalition Push for Renewable Rikers Island

Expert BlogNew York CitySara Imperiale, Eric A. Goldstein

The New York City Council passed two bills that, when signed into law, will mark the beginning of the end for the notorious Rikers Island jail complex and transform the island into a model of green infrastructure and jobs.

NYC Parks Department Still Doesn’t Get It on Composting

Expert BlogEric A. Goldstein
The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation continues to bungle what should be an easy assignment for the storied 87 year-old agency—understanding the urgency of the climate crisis and embracing composting as a strategy that can help curb…

NYC Parks Commissioner Pushing Out Community Composters

Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein
Neighborhood non-profit groups that have run successful and beloved community composting operations on parks properties for years are being ousted by New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver.

NYS to Cut PFOA/PFOS "Forever Chemicals" from Drinking Water

Expert BlogNew York, United StatesEric A. Goldstein

Public water suppliers across New York State will be required to test for and ultimately slash harmful levels of the synthetic organic chemicals PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, according to new rules just adopted by State Health officials.

NYC Council Must Restore Funds for Community Composting

Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein
Restoration of $7 million to preserve community composting and related recycling outreach and education won’t solve every waste problem in New York. But it will throw a lifeline to one of the most significant, untapped anti-pollution strategies available to local…

NYS Paint Waste Bill Awaits Cuomo’s Finishing Touch

Expert BlogNew YorkEric A. Goldstein

Leftover paints—one of the more problematic items in the municipal waste stream—are likely to be fished out of millions of garages and basements from Montauk to Niagara Falls and disposed of properly, thanks to a forward-looking law recently passed by…

Foam Containers Disappearing in NYS and Across the Nation

Expert BlogEric A. Goldstein
Polystyrene foam food and beverage containers are disappearing from restaurants and other food establishments from coast to coast, as state and local governments enact laws seeking to curb the ever-growing amount of environmentally troublesome single-use plastics.

New York City Council Adopts Environmental Fee on Paper Bags

Expert BlogEric A. Goldstein
In a move to throttle down on waste, litter and pollution, the New York City Council has adopted legislation that would place a five-cent fee on paper carryout bags distributed at supermarkets and other retail outlets in the nation’s largest…

Finally, a Farewell to Foam Coffee Cups and Clamshells in NYC

Expert BlogNew York CityEric A. Goldstein

A New York State appeals court has affirmed a lower court ruling, upholding New York City’s ban on polystyrene food and beverage containers and delivering a victory to all who care about reducing street litter and waterway pollution in the…

An Open Letter to NYC Mayor de Blasio on Congestion Pricing

Expert BlogEric A. Goldstein
We believe the City and State should advance a congestion pricing strategy that will not only generate ongoing funds for transit, reduce congestion and curb air pollution, but also rationalize the current toll structure by lowering tolls on some city…