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New York City generated over 3 million tons of household waste in 2015. This map follows its journey from the street curb to the other side of the world.
New York City generated over 3 million tons of household waste in 2015. This map follows its journey from the street curb to the other side of the world.
Non-recyclable waste is collected at the curb and deposited at a waste transfer station.
Paper and metal/glass/plastic recyclables are each collected separately and brought to handling and recovery facilities, where the material will be separated.
From there, non-recyclable waste is shipped to a landfill or waste-to-energy plant.
Paper and metal/glass/plastic recyclables are sold to domestic and international recyclers, often in China or India.
Total cost for collection and disposal: approximately $1.5 billion.
