NYC releases request for proposals for commercial waste zone collection

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) released a request for proposals (RFP) Nov. 19 for private carting companies interested in participating in the city’s commercial waste zones program.

According to a news release from DSNY, “Commercial waste zones will create a safe and efficient system to collect waste from NYC businesses and provide high-quality, low-cost service while advancing the city’s zero waste goals.”

The program is authorized by legislation which New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed in November 2019.

This RFP is the latest step toward the implementation of the commercial waste zone program. In February, DSNY published a final rule designating 20 zones for commercial waste collection. Through the RFP process, DSNY will select up to three carters to provide service to customers within each zone, as well as up to five carters to provide containerized collection service citywide.

DSNY says this program will bring “clarity and stability to an industry that impacts nearly every street in the city, while keeping the competition necessary for low prices.”

“The commercial waste zones program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring real, comprehensive and meaningful reform to the private carting industry. Today marks the next step toward achieving that reform,” DSNY Acting Commissioner Edward Grayson says. “This approach acknowledges the very real challenges facing the private carting industry while advancing this much-needed initiative that will bring safer streets, cleaner air and a modern private carting industry built to better serve NYC businesses.”

“The city’s commercial waste zones program will fundamentally change the way the commercial waste hauling industry operates here,” Noah Genel, commissioner and chair of New York City’s Business Integrity Commission, says. “Importantly, it will lead to far fewer truck miles traveled in New York City. That means safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike, along with cleaner air for everyone in the city.  The Business Integrity Commission looks forward to continuing to work with DSNY and the private waste haulers on this significant new program.”

The commercial waste zones RFP will be issued in two parts, giving potential program awardees sufficient time to prepare, plan and respond.

Part I of the RFP, released Nov. 19, requests information from potential program awardees about their qualifications to provide commercial waste collections services, including licensing status with the Business Integrity Commission, financial statements and compliance history. Responses to Part I are due Feb. 19, 2021.

Following the receipt of Part I responses, the department will issue Part II of the RFP, which will request more robust information about potential program awardees, including plans to achieve the programmatic goals of commercial waste zones, such as plans for safety, customer service, sustainable waste management, infrastructure investment and zero-waste plans that promote recycling. Potential awardees must respond to Part I of the RFP to be eligible to submit a response to Part II and be considered for a contract award.

The commercial waste zones program is the result of more than five years of analysis, stakeholder engagement and planning at the DSNY. DSNY plans to follow the RFP process with a multiyear customer transition process that includes outreach and education for businesses.

The RFP and related documents can be downloaded online.