The Office of General Services (OGS) is improving how we measure and manage waste at the Empire State Plaza and the New York State Capitol, and we need your help to make it a success! Governor Hochul issued an executive order calling on state agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and go green. Our new initiatives will help us reduce the amount of waste we generate, recycle what we can, and track our progress.
OGS is:
- Conducting waste audits: Assessing the resources available for diverting materials from landfills through recycling, composting, or reuse, while offering recommendations to improve sustainable waste management practices further.
- Installing clearly labeled recycling bins and signs: Enhancing the Plaza’s trash and recycling setup to facilitate easy sorting by state employees and visitors.
- Reducing single-use plastics: Partnering with Plaza vendors to minimize the use of plastic bags and single-use plastic utensils, and prioritizing paper or compostable alternatives.
- Composting food waste: Collecting kitchen scraps from the Plaza’s food vendors for composting at a nearby food scrap processing facility.
- Designating a recycling programs coordinator: Creating a dedicated position to oversee our efforts and help expand waste reduction across the Plaza complex.
How you can help:
- Take a second to sort: It doesn’t take long! Use the appropriate bins for trash and recycling to help keep materials out of landfills and support our waste diversion goals.
- Reduce waste generation: Bring your reusable water bottle and utensils to lunch.
- Be mindful: Dispose of your items responsibly, avoid littering, and leave spaces as clean as, or cleaner than, you found them.
- Lead by example: Encourage others to follow sustainability practices and support a cleaner, greener Plaza.
- Get involved: Stay informed about sustainability events and participate in green initiatives at the Plaza.
Contact the Plaza Recycling:
If you have questions about waste management at the Empire State Plaza or want to share ideas for improving recycling, email us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you.