disposable dilemma

Hi all our tumblr fans!

Amer and I just launched our first phase of our pilot here in NYC!

Check out this short video from Callaway Photo...here’s a little about the project:

“Callaway Photo’s intention of beautifying garbage through photos is to bring awareness to the importance of recycling. The mission is to exhibit recycling as an advertising agency might beautify a commodity for the marketplace. The essential objective is to get our earth to zero waste.”

You can check out the cool little publication they made which is beautifully shot and full of innovative ideas for extended producer responsibility:

http://callawayphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Callaway_RecycledBeauty.pdf

Transform Don’t Trash NYC is a campaign to transform the commercial waste industry in NYC to create good jobs and clean and safe communities for all New Yorkers.

Right now, NYC businesses rely on hundreds of private waste companies with thousands of trucks to pick up their waste and recycling.

This industry is a “Wild West” with low recycling rates, poor conditions for workers, unfair siting of waste transfer stations, and lack of oversight. Mayor de Blasio and City Council need to act now to bring this industry into the 21st century.

By increasing recycling, creating better jobs, and more fairly dealing with waste in the five boroughs, New York City can become more environmentally and economically sustainable.

The Problem:

Sixty-one percent of NYC small businesses do not have a written contract with their waste hauler. 

Ninety percent of NYC small businesses pay a flat rate for waste collection, a rate disconnected from the amount of waste they generate.

Ninety-five percent of small businesses receive no discount for separating recyclables.

Few businesses separate recyclables for collection by their hauler, even as 75 percent of businesses want the city to require more recycling.

Disposable Dilemma wants to work on reducing the amount of waste these restaurants create while these changes are happening to alleviate the costs to restaurants and give them the power to take action.

Visit their website to learn more: http://transformdonttrashnyc.org/