In 2023, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) began to rethink waste movement and management to and from waste yards in its extensive portfolio. NYCHA waste yards had been  designed to only manage trash at each development. The agency looked to include areas for other streams, including recycling, organics, e-waste, and mattresses.

We worked alongside Grain Collective and NDNY to redesign waste yards across sixteen NYCHA campuses. We recommended updated equipment and systems to better manage waste, and where possible were able to reduce the size of the yard or reconsider the impact on the surrounding residential buildings or streetscape. We researched new types of storage and equipment for the yard which would both beautify the yard at street level and above, all while mitigating pests and consolidating streams such as bulk trash and household trash. The new waste yards are organized for effective, quick collection by DSNY and safe access for NYCHA staff.

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