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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 098-09
February 26, 2009

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION REQUIRING STREET FAIR PRODUCERS TO TAKE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MEASURES IN DISPOSING OF WASTE

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

"The first bill before me today is Introductory Number 908-A, sponsored by Council Members Mealy, Sears, Fidler, Jackson, Mark-Viverito, Nelson, Sanders, Seabrook, Gerson, Weprin, Liu and White. Introductory Number 908-A requires those involved in producing street fairs to take measures ensuring, to the maximum extent feasible, that solid waste and certain designated recyclable materials generated at street fairs are properly disposed of.

"During the street fair season, thousands of New Yorkers and tourists attend multi-block, multi-day street events throughout the five boroughs. These street fairs are a vital part of our City's cultural life - but they also generate significant amounts of refuse and recyclable materials. This bill promotes recycling by ensuring that soda cans, glass and plastic bottles, and other designated recyclables that often get tossed into regular refuse receptacles are properly separated and collected.

"Introductory Number 908-A places the responsibility on event organizers to provide separate receptacles for solid waste and recyclables at each intersection and monitor those receptacles so that they do not overflow and cause littered street conditions. It also makes street events in this City more environmentally sustainable and will improve the quality of life for City residents.

"I would like to thank Department of Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty and his staff for their work on this bill. I would also like to thank the Council for approving this legislation."







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser/Evelyn Erskine   (212) 788-2958




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