For Immediate Release Contact: Collin Nash or Sid Nathan
September 10, 2009 (516) 869-7794
North Hempstead Steps Up Recycling and Solid Waste Enforcement
North Hempstead, NY—Supervisor Jon Kaiman announced today that the Town of North Hempstead has taken another step forward in its effort to enforce its environmental requirements in regard the town’s recycling regulations and the pick up and disposal of solid waste. North Hempstead has assigned a team of code inspectors to enforce compliance with sanitation codes intended to help rein in illegal dumping of solid waste and improper disposal of recyclables.
A recently reinstated flow control law mandates that all commercial municipal solid waste collected in the town must be brought to the town-owned and operated transfer station in Port Washington unless otherwise designated to alternative sites. Waste haulers will be charged a yet-to-be-determined, per-ton tipping fee similar to that which is presently charged.
“It is critical that all garbage carters within the town’s jurisdiction operate on a level playing field which means that everyone has to follow the rules,” said Supervisor Jon Kaiman. With inspectors now able to follow trucks and issue tickets, we will be able to make sure that recycled materials get recycled and solid waste goes where it belongs.”
The Town is also looking to make sure that carters do not cheat North Hempstead taxpayers by bringing trucks to unauthorized locations which ultimately costs the town revenue. The Town’s flow control law requires carters, unless outside the scope of the law, must bring waste to the town’s transfer station. The Town makes sure that recycled materials are properly disposed of and that solid waste is properly paid for. In addition to enforcing compliance with the town’s sanitation codes, the inspectors will also make sure trucks are properly equipped and that carters are operating within the parameters of their contracts and the town’s sanitation code.
All North Hempstead’s 31 villages, most of which currently are contracted to dispose their waste at the town’s transfer station, will have the option of continuing their relationship with the town or making their own arrangements to dispose of their waste when their agreement expires at the end of April.
Flow control allows state and local governments to designate where municipal solid waste is transported for disposal. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1994 that flow control unconstitutionally infringed on interstate commerce, forcing North Hempstead to abandon the legislation The Court, however, reversed the ruling in 2007. In response, North Hempstead re-instated the law earlier this year.
Flow control violators licensed to do haul waste in the town will be issued summonses and if convicted will can receive substantial fines, town officials said. Chronic offenders are subjected to have their contracts or licenses suspended. The team of inspectors will also target unlicensed haulers. Licenses can be applied for at the Town Clerk’s office on Plandome Road in Manhasset.
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