Our report proposes design strategies to containerize waste and safeguard the public realm. It is based on case studies from cities throughout the world and an in-depth analysis of NYC buildings and streetscapes.

CfZWD regularly meets with council members and elected officials. The Center has given testimony at over a dozen hearings on numerous pieces of legislation over the past five years.

We are in support of NYC’s plans to containerize waste but recommend adjustments for large buildings and walk-ups to better integrate waste containerization into streetscapes and improve labor conditions for building porters. See our recommendations on how to reduce the street space taken up and eliminate permanent bins on sidewalks for small and large buildings.

Save Our Compost is a coalition of groups fighting to keep compost free in NYC while uplifting environmental and climate justice.

The Alliance for Public Space Leadership (APSL) is a coalition of over 50 organizations dedicated to creating a public realm that builds economic vitality, supports connections between New Yorkers, addresses environmental concerns, and more.

Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street is the largest volunteer-run program of its kind in Brooklyn. We worked with the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council, who manages the program, to design solutions to reduce and containerize all residential, commercial, and litter bin waste. Some of our recommendations are implementable immediately, and others require coordination with the city.

Put Waste to Work is a vision plan for how New York City can transform its interconnected waste management system, so that all New Yorkers can enjoy vibrant streetscapes, healthy neighborhoods, and clean sidewalks.

The Center for Zero Waste Design actively contributes thought leadership on the built environment in the development of frameworks, guidelines, and industry standards. The Center also provides critical insight on panels, conferences, and keynote addresses.

We adapted the Zero Waste Design Guidelines to Hong Kong, Singapore, and New York City. These are all high-density cities, with goals to reduce waste and increase circular material flows. While their urban context, infrastructure, and policies differ, each place has similar challenges.

Designing Waste: Strategies for a Zero Waste City explores how we manage waste in our buildings and neighborhoods, and how design can help reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill.