New York City Proposes Increase to Maximum Waste Hauling Rates

NSWMA Pleased BIC Recognizes Regular Rate Cap Increases Are Necessary

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The New York City Business Integrity Commission (BIC) proposed a 15-percent increase in the city's rate cap last week, increasing the maximum rates that waste haulers may charge New York City commercial establishments for garbage removal.

If approved, carters operating in New York City will be allowed to charge up to $18.97 per yard, or $11.89 per 100 pounds. This would be the first rate increase since late 2008. In addition, the BIC also has proposed reviewing future increases every other year, starting in 2015. Such regular reviews would be welcomed by an industry that has been forced to absorb significant increases in the costs of doing business for years.

Representatives from the New York City Chapter of the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) will testify at an October 2 BIC hearing on this proposal to voice their support for these proposed changes.

"I applaud the increase in the rate cap," said Thomas N. Toscano, chief financial officer of Mr. T Carting Corp. in Glendale, N.Y., and president of the New York City Chapter of NSWMA. "With the continued increase in fuel, equipment and labor costs, this rate increase was necessary to maintain the quality of service our customers need. New York City is an extremely competitive market place, so I hope the BIC will continue to address the necessity of having a rate cap at all."

NSWMA Vice President for Government Affairs David Biderman added, "NSWMA is pleased that we were once again able to persuade City officials that the current rate cap is unfair. While we would have preferred the BIC eliminate the rate cap entirely, we will work with them to ensure the rate cap reflects the cost of collecting commercial waste in New York City."

The BIC's proposed change to the rate cap is meant to comply with its statutory obligation to ensure that waste haulers in New York City can earn a reasonable rate of return, and that all commercial establishments continue to receive high-quality, reasonably priced, full-service waste removal.

The New York City Chapter is NSWMA's largest chapter. This is the third time the BIC has proposed a change in the rate cap in response to NSWMA's lobbying.

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) – a sub-association of the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA) – represents for-profit companies in North America that provide waste collection, recycling and disposal services, healthcare waste management and professional and consulting services to the waste services industry. NSWMA members conduct business in all 50 states. For more information about the NYC Chapter of NSWMA, visit www.nycgarbagefacts.com.

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SOURCE National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA)