Food and Water Waste Disposal in NYC Research Paper

Introduction

Waste disposal in the City of New York has been riddled with problems. As Grogan observes, many of the problems that are associated with the process of waste disposal are due to the corruption in the state government (75). The ever-increasing population of the city does not make the situation any easier. Considered one of the most densely populated cities in the USA, the New York state government has had to come up with several strategies on how to best deal with proper food and water disposal.

This essay analyzes some of the ways the government has employed in dealing with the sanitation issues. The paper will also give a small discussion on what happens in the process of disposal, those who are responsible for the disposal, and how policies affect the parties involved in waste disposal. The paper will prove that the state government of New York’s strategy of using policies to help in the collection and disposal of wastes is the best approach.

The Evolution of Food and Water Waste Disposal in NYC

Food and water waste disposal in the New York City has faced numerous challenges. The main cause of this is the many people living in the city. The city is not only recognized as one of the best cities in America, but it is also considered a world city. This means that people from all over the world try to settle in New York. In fact, the phrase “If you make it in New York, you can make it anywhere” was borrowed from this ideology.

New York had a population of approximately 8.4 million in 2013. It is the most densely populated cities in the United States of America. This over population has strained much of the city’s delivery system. One area that has been gravely affected is drainage. The drainage system that was created decades ago is not sufficient anymore. The disposal of waste can be divided into two main areas; water disposal and garbage disposal.

Grogan explains that garbage disposal in the New York City was designed in 1927 (75). During this period, the population of the city was approximately 5.6 million; thus, the garbage disposal system was built to serve this number. It is argued that John Hammes built the first garbage disposal unit (Grogan, 45). However, records show that other waste disposal systems had been established as early as 1935 by General Electric.

During this time, garbage disposal was very different from food disposal. In fact, as Keil et al. explain, there were campaigns to educate people on how to separate water disposal from food disposal (13). The separation of wastes was done by individuals, instead of companies. In addition, the government incorporated regulations that required the placing of food waste in the water drainage system.

Over the years, the public was encouraged to put their food garbage in bags and leave them outside for disposal companies to pick and dispose them correctly. Currently, garbage disposal units are installed in houses due to the high number of flats in the city. The disposers can currently separate food and water and take them to their different sewer systems. Initially, the use of disposers was prohibited. The ban was lifted later on in 1997. Currently, a majority of houses in the city has the disposers. Grogan (12) reveals that many other states have tried to ban the use of this disposal to no avail. Indeed, there are people who do not install them in their houses. Consequently, they are forced to manually separate the waste and put it outside for a disposal company to pick and dispose appropriately.

It suffices to mention that garbage disposal companies have increased over the years. Currently, there are those that offer services to homes and those that focus specifically on offices. Grogan explains that there are waste disposal systems that also focus on industrial wastes (13).

In industries, there are things that are considered garbage and then there is water. The waste also has to be separated. Grogan argues that the separation cannot be done manually in the industries, unless the wastes separate themselves and can be sieved (10). For example, it would be very difficult for anyone to manually separate chemical wastes. In such cases, there are drainage systems that take the chemicals to the right place for proper disposal. There have been numerous cases of companies that do not dispose their wastes properly, thereby polluting the environment. The following section will focus on industrial waste management in the New York City.

Industrial Waste Management in the New York City

There are several industries that have headquarters in New York. They cut across different departments, including clothing, food, healthcare, and finance. All these industries need proper waste disposal systems for them to function properly and avoid polluting the environment.

Looking at the healthcare industry, the firms in this sector have the most dangerous waste among the industries found in New York. Syringes, used cotton pieces, and blood soaked water are very common in healthcare facilities. Such wastes cannot be disposed in a similar fashion as the waste from houses. Resultantly, there are several companies that have focused entirely on taking care of industrial waste disposal. In addition to healthcare facilities, there are pharmaceutical companies that use chemicals to make medicine and pesticides. These chemicals are sent down drainages to specific companies that can recycle them, sell them back to the companies, or dispose them completely without putting anyone in danger.

The food industry comprises of hotels, small restaurants, and food manufacturing companies. They also produce a lot of waste; both water and garbage. The disposal of these wastes is easier compared to the disposal of wastes in the healthcare facilities. The food disposals can be turned into manure and animal feed. However, the waste cannot be mixed with water; therefore, it is normally separated from water manually and put outside for the companies to collect. It suffices to mention that waste disposal companies are urged to separate plastic waste from waste that can rot. For example, plastics are not put in the same disposal bags as cabbages and carrot cuttings. Water is sent down the drain to mix with other water disposed from all over the city.

To many, the finance companies might appear to be the least expected companies in the list of industries that contribute to pollution in New York. However, the companies in this industry also need a proper waste disposal system. Offices use the highest number of papers. These papers have to be disposed at a point in time, regardless of what they carry. Moreover, they also use ink bottles from printers and pens. All these have to be disposed well. The wastes have to be burned or recycled because it cannot be thrown out. Qualified waste disposal companies do this job.

Last in the list of the most prominent industries in New York City are the clothing companies and all other factories that fall in this field. The main waste in these industries is cloth and dye. Both wastes cannot be disposed anyhow, as they are harmful to the environment. Dye contains chemicals that are not only harmful to nature, but also to humans. The pieces of cloth that are discarded cannot rot; thus, they litter the environment. These clothes are normally disposed and recycled or used to make other things.

These industries also use washrooms that dispose a lot of water. It suffices to mention that the water disposal is often mixed with other water disposals from industries and homes because all water is treated the same.

Impact of Food and Water Waste Disposal in NYC

There are several impacts of food and water, waste disposal system in the New York City. The impacts will be divided into two categories; the positive impacts and the negative impacts.

One of the positive impacts is that the waste disposal units help make the city clean. With the over population, cleanliness can be challenging. Getting the garbage out of the way makes it easier for people to clean their homes and offices. As mentioned, all homeowners have to do is leave the garbage outside and the disposal company picks it up and disposes it appropriately. The same can be said of the hotels. People who use disposal units have an easier way of disposing waste. The hardest, yet, organic things can be dumped in some disposal units. However, these units must have grinders to break the organic material into smaller bits.

Another impact that can be considered positive is the proper disposal of waste. Waste would cover the whole earth if the disposal plans were left to individuals. Garbage disposal companies know how to treat each type of garbage. For instance, organic waste is separated from non-organic waste. It is then broken down further and grouped to make disposal easier. Afterwards, the waste is disintegrated into environmental friendly products. Organic waste is mainly turned into manure, which is then sold to farmers. The non-organic materials are mostly recycled and reused.

On the other hand, the biggest disadvantage of the current food and water, waste disposal is the slow pace that is involved. Grogan argues that the over population has made the process excruciatingly slow (56). However, other scholars have explained that high technology is used to enhance the disposal process. Technology has advanced in many areas. However, only a few people focus on developing waste disposal. The same concept used in creating disposable units in the 1940s is still used today.

Another negative impact of food and waste disposal is the improper disposal of garbage. Even though there are many garbage disposal companies in the city, the population is way too high for effective disposal. Consequently, there are people and companies that keep garbage for long periods of time before it is disposed, which leads to pollution of the air and an increase in health risks. In the same breath, the disposal process has become expensive for many, especially those that live in the poorest parts of the city. The lack of extra money to pay for garbage disposal has left people throwing their dirty items on the streets, thereby enhancing environmental pollution.

The improper disposal of waste has led to other negative aspects. Environmental pollution tops the list. Both organic and non-organic matter pollutes the environment. For example, if the peelings of a banana are thrown on the ground, then it is evident that they will rot there if not removed. During the process, they will emit a horrible smell that will cause air pollution. On the other hand, a non-organic item will not rot. Both items can be very dangerous to human and animal life. Slipping on the banana peelings can cause a bad fall, resulting in bad injuries. In addition, the non-organic materials can hurt children and animals when trying to eat them.

Public Policy Solutions and Issues of Food and Water Waste Disposal in NYC

Public policy has been used in various states to deal with the menace that can arise from waste disposal. The New York government webpage shows that the government has divided waste disposal policies and guidelines into three categories as follows: residents, schools, and businesses.

For residents, many companies are required to offer at least seven services of waste disposal (Ghoseiri and Javad 693). People are also required to know how to properly dispose their waste. Ghoseiri and Javad explain that teaching people the importance of separating their wastes properly makes them responsible and keen on protecting the environment (695). The city government also allows the waste disposal companies to set guidelines that aid the process of waste disposal. For example, DSNY urges residents to do several things to ensure that they have disposed their wastes properly (NYC Department of Sanitation 1).

The first thing the residents have to know is how to get rid of the common household items they do not use anymore (NYC Department of Sanitation 1). These things can be either organic or non-organic. However, the residents need to know how to dispose each one of them. In addition, the residents have to know the collection schedule so that they remove their trash bags on time to be collected by the disposal company.

The DSNY also encourages the residents to recycle some of the items they use at home. For example, plastic containers that are used in home food delivery are used as containers for cereals and so forth. The policy that touches on this issue allows the government to teach the community on how to best recycle the common household items that would have been disposed. The NYC government has also provided guidelines on how to dispose harmful items, like chemicals that are used in house cleaning and so forth (NYC Department of Sanitation 1). The government has also set up policies that allow residents to take back the things they do not use back to the manufacturers so that they do not have to dispose them inappropriately. In the same vein, the public is encouraged to dispose less waste, especially organic things, and donate the things they do not use, instead of throwing them out.

Grogan argues that businesses in New York City are also required to follow some strict guidelines that are backed up by set policies (19). For example, the Business Owners’ Bill of Rights gives guidelines of waste management in businesses. The bill also highlights that business owners have the right to access easy and reliable disposal services. The government does several abrupt inspections that check on matters of health to ensure that waste disposal is done correctly and on time. There are a very few policies that guide schools on waste disposal because most schools are categorized as businesses or public institutions.

It suffices to mention that the city government has also come up with policies for itself with regard to waste disposal. For example, all government departments are required to use the most energy efficient equipment to avoid polluting the environment. Such equipment also emits very little waste, making disposal easier. There are numerous other policies that have been drafted and passed in the state government concerning disposal. There are also policies that have been rejected. For example, in 2008 the state wanted to do away with home-installed disposal units that are placed in sinks. However, several months down the line, the ban was lifted due to the importance of the units.

Importance of Proper Waste Disposal

The essay discussed several aspects of waste disposal in the New York City. At this juncture, it is important to highlight the importance of proper waste disposal in the city. The first main advantage of proper waste disposal in the city is an improved health system. Waste carries a lot of germs, which are harmful to the health. For example, imagine a hospital that does not dispose its waste properly. The hospital will be dirty and smelly to say the least. Thus, it will be the worst place for the treatment of the sick. The same can be said for hotels and homes. Cholera is one of the diseases that erupt from poor sanitation and waste disposal.

The second benefit of proper waste disposal is the preservation of the environment. The importance of environment preservation has been highlighted all through the paper. Additionally, reasons why waste disposal has to be done properly have been cited. One such reason is that there are some wastes that do not rot and disintegrate. In addition, poor waste disposal can lead to air pollution, as organic wastes smell awful.

It suffices to mention that proper waste disposal will also enhance the economy of the city. Being the world’s capital city, New York attracts very many people on a yearly basis. Making sure that the city is clean will increase the number of people who go there as tourists. Similarly, more international businesses will be willing to invest in a clean city compared to a dirty one, as they will know people will have time to purchase their products.

In the same vein, proper disposal of wastes makes the people comfortable in their residents. Ghoseiri and Javad explain that it is very uncomfortable for people who are clean and dispose of their wastes properly in their homes to walk and work in a dirty environment (693). Such people lose interest in working and register lower performance levels.

Reaction to Waste Disposal

Grogan argues that the New York City government has done a lot to ensure that waste management is done appropriately (15). There have been cases where the government has been accused of poor policies in matters of waste management. However, from the discussion presented, it is clear that the government is proactive in proper waste disposal.

The policies that have been put in place help the government to maintain and control waste disposal. Companies have to register and be approved by the government to start businesses as disposal companies. This ensures that the disposal companies also have the right equipment to dispose the waste. There are companies that do not dispose the waste, but only collect it from businesses and residential places. In such cases, the government has ensured that the laws that govern those who dispose the wastes also govern those who just collect it (Ghoseiri and Javad 693).

Currently, the government does not own the waste disposal process, but it is a private business. Resultantly, it is the individual disposal companies that set the rates for the services they offer. Grogan (34) reveals that the government has not made any significant efforts to regulate the rates of waste disposal. This has led to a lot of conflict, as some residents refuse to pay waste disposal companies for their services. In turn, the process is stalled and environmental pollution increase. To solve this problem, it has been suggested that waste disposal service fee be included in the house rent for those who live in rental apartments and houses.

What Happens to the Waste?

It is not enough to mention waste disposal without attempting to discuss what happens to the waste. To many people, the disposal ends when the trash bag is collected by the disposal company. However, as Grogan reveals, that is just the beginning (23). First, the trash has to be taken to the disposal company, where it is separated accordingly. Separate categories are treated separately. For example, foodstuffs are treated to make manure and animal feed.

The same cannot be said of plastics and other similar containers. These are cleaned and taken back to the manufacturers where applicable. The wastes that cannot be taken back to the manufacturers are cleaned and reused as completely different things. For example, toilet paper and normal paper can be remade during the recycling process. There are individuals who also cycle their waste disposal. For example, containers can be reused to store grains. Food wastes can be given to pets to avoid wastage, while clothes can be donated to charity. All these have to work together to ensure that the whole system is functioning as expected. If the collectors fail to take the waste, then the disposal process will be stalled. In the same breath, if the residents do not remove their trash bags on time, then the process will also be stalled.

Conclusion

In conclusion, waste disposal in New York is controlled by the policies that the state government has installed. It would be very difficult for the government to monitor the waste disposal process without these policies, as the sector would be purely run by the private sector. The policies that are used in controlling and monitoring waste disposal fall into three main categories. These are residents, schools, and businesses. Each category has specific guidelines to guide waste disposal. For example, the New York City residents are required to know the schedule of garbage collection in order to remove their trash bins in time for the collection. Businesses, on the other hand, have to ensure that a reliable disposer takes all their trash.

Works Cited

Ghoseiri, Keivan, and Lessan Javad. “Waste Disposal Site Selection Using an Analytic Hierarchal Pairwise Comparison and ELECTRE Approaches Under Fuzzy Environment.” Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems 26.2 (2014): 693-704. Print.

Grogan, Peter L. “Return to Sender.” Biocycle 41.1 (2000): 75-75. Print.

Keil, Beth Landman, Ian Spiegelman, David Amsden, Abbey Goodman. “Opponent Thinks Silver is Wasted.” New York 33.37 (2000): 13-13. Print.

NYC Department of Sanitation. Recycling and Garbage. 2014. Web.