An audit from New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says the state has an issue tracking how much waste is recycled.
According to the audit, the state Department of Environmental Conservation did not receive a third of the required annual reports from recycling facilities. Of those reports that were filed, officials say nearly two-thirds were missing information needed to determine how much material was actually recycled.
Auditors also found 35% of registered and permitted recycling facilities weren’t inspected during a three-year review period.
“Reliable recycling data is essential to understanding how much waste is being diverted from landfills and incinerators through recycling,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “If recycling data is incomplete or inaccurate, the state can’t effectively evaluate whether recycling efforts are working or track their impact in reducing waste and its environmental impact.”
The audit recommends the state DEC improve data reporting and verification, strengthen inspections and better document follow-up. The state DEC responded that it would make changes to remedy the issues, but disputed some of the audit’s claims of reporting problems.
The state DEC says solid waste accounts for about 12% of New York’s greenhouse gas emissions.