July 4, 2009
Advocates: Bronx still getting dumped on
The city glossed over persistent waste inequality problems in the South Bronx when it announced new garbage transportation methods in the borough earlier this week, community environmental groups say.
The mayor announced Monday that all household garbage shipped out of the Bronx is now being transported by rail rather than truck. The shift is part of the mayor's plan to reduce congestion and pollution from truck traffic in the borough.
"This current project greenwashes over what's still not happening," said Miquela Craytor of Sustainable South Bronx.
While the change may be for the better, environmental groups said, the announcement conceals continuing problems caused by a high volume of city waste passing through the Bronx. The city still uses trucks, rather than more environmentally friendly means such as barges, to ship trash from Manhattan and Queens to waste facilities in the Bronx.
"The South Bronx is still getting all the garbage and no benefits," said Harry Bubbins of the South Bronx environmental community group Friends of Brook Park.
Currently, the Bronx ships about 2,100 tons of garbage each day for disposal outside the city, according to the mayor.
"The Bloomberg administration through the solid waste management plan is making each borough self sufficient in handling waste," Jason Post, a spokesman for the mayor said.
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