New York City runs out of landfill space for trash

· Climate · United States

New York City is running out of places to send its trash, according to the latest draft of the city's once-a-decade solid waste management plan. The sanitation department warns that the landfills receiving much of the city's garbage are filling up fast, with more than two-thirds of municipal waste already transported to landfills. The draft plan sets the stage for difficult decisions on export capacity, recycling and waste infrastructure in one of the world's largest municipal waste systems.

Why it matters：Major cities hitting landfill limits will accelerate investment in waste-to-energy, recycling and rail or port export capacity, a growing pressure point for urban climate and waste policy.

Key points

  • The draft is part of the city's once-a-decade solid waste plan.
  • More than two-thirds of municipal waste goes to landfills.
  • Receiving landfills are filling up fast.

Sources (original reporting)

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