Audit finds issue with N.Y. state’s waste reporting

The state of New York has a solid waste problem. At least when it comes to tracking it.

This is according to a new audit from the New York State Comptroller’s Office.

Auditors found the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) “lacks reliable information on how much material is recycled across the state.”

“Reliable recycling data is essential to understanding how much waste is being diverted from landfills and incinerators through recycling,” said state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

“It’s hard to know if we’re going to meet our climate goals since recycling is a big impact of preventing climate change and we know that solid waste accounts for 12% of state greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mary Mueller, spokesperson for the New York State Comptroller’s Office.

The DEC audit was from January 2021 to December 2023.

During that time, the Comptroller’s Office said:

Recycling facilities should have submitted 1,065 annual reports, but auditors found DEC didn’t receive 341 of them, or nearly one-third of the total required.
Auditors found recycling facilities couldn’t always verify the information reported to DEC.
138 of 389 registered and permitted recycling facilities or 35% were not inspected during the three-year audit period.

Environmental advocates tell Spectrum News 1 the audit results don’t surprise them.

“They are legally required to regulate these facilities,” said Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics. “The next step after the material recovery facility is where is the cardboard, the metal, the glass being sent to actually be recycled?”

“More clarity needs to be provided by the state on what counts, what doesn’t count,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “We also think in all fairness, the DEC probably needs more staff to do this.”

Audit recommendations include DEC improve the reliability of facility data, develop procedures to verify annual reporting, and strengthen inspection procedures.

According to the Comptroller’s Office, DEC was accepting of the audit’s findings, and said it will take “appropriate action,” but claimed, “the audit overstated reporting deficiencies and disputed aspects of the report.”

In a statement to Spectrum News 1, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said: 

“The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to overseeing the effective regulation of solid waste management facilities and enforcement of the State’s environmental laws and regulations to protect public health and the environment.

DEC implements solid waste facility regulations and oversees Recyclables Handling and Recovery Facilities (RHRFs) statewide, which process millions of tons of recyclable materials to create new products and reduce waste sent to landfills.

DEC staff advance waste reduction through public outreach efforts that promote the reduction of single-use containers, utensils, and packaging. Additionally, DEC has partnered with the State University of New York (SUNY) to determine increased marketability for various recyclables, especially glass and plastics.

DEC is committed to ensuring solid waste management facilities (including RHRFs) comply with regulatory requirements and operate in an environmentally safe manner. DEC appreciates the Office of the State Comptroller’s (OSC) efforts to strengthen oversight and build on DEC’s successes, and DEC will look to implement the suggested recommendations.”