The files below are PDF (Portable Document Format) documents; you'll need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader 
to display and print them. Due to the size of the file, this report is divided into multiple sections.
This report contains results from the first citywide waste characterization study conducted by the NYC Department of Sanitation. This study ran between 1989 and 1990 and characterized generation and composition of residential, institutional, and commercial waste streams.
Note: NYC's current waste composition and generation is substantially different. See 2004-05 NYC Residential and Street Basket Waste Characterization Study for updated results on residential and street basket waste.
DSNY 1989-90 Waste Characterization Study Executive Summary
DSNY 1989-90 Waste Characterization Study Vol. 1 Study Overview
DSNY 1989-90 Waste Characterization Study Vol. 2 Residential Results
DSNY 1989-90 Waste Characterization Study Vol. 3 Institutional Results
DSNY 1989-90 Waste Characterization Study Vol. 4 Commercial Results
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