#nyctrashacademy

Join our community to talk trash. We'll learn about sustainable solutions for a cleaner and healthier city, and work together to create meaningful change.

The 5th Annual
NYC Trash Academy

NYC Trash Academy is a free educational series tailored for New Yorkers passionate about creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city. The program explores the far-reaching impacts of waste management on our environment, society, and economy.

The upcoming 2025 course includes ten on-demand modules, three virtual office hours sessions with Academy instructors, and two optional in-person events. Students are free to view the modules on their own time or can join others in their cohort at scheduled Watch Parties. This year there will also be an option to attend an in-person field trip to Balcones Recycling.

The 5th Annual NYC Trash Academy is taught by a diverse panel of waste management experts, featuring seasoned professionals from the NYC Department of Sanitation and NYC Department of Environmental Protection, along with innovative minds from the private sector. Participants will be eligible to receive a certificate of completion and will graduate equipped with the knowledge and agency to drive meaningful change in their lives, their communities, and the city at large.

The curriculum will explore topics such as:

The past, current and future landscape of trash in NYC
The origins of American “throwaway culture” and an introduction to circular economies
The role that waste and litter plays in the health of our water system
New initiatives to keep trash off of sidewalks
A focused look at food waste, the most significant diversion opportunity in our waste stream

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Learn about the gritty history of waste management in New York City, to contextualize just how important the Department of Sanitation is to the life of our metropolis. This presentation will also explore the historical, environmental, and social impacts of waste, as well as the origins of our current “throw-away society.”

Instructor: Dr. Robin Nagle (Clinical Professor in Liberal Studies at NYU & DSNY Anthropologist-in-Residence)

NYC Current Landscape (DSNY)

Learn about the current landscape of waste management in New York City, including the role of DSNY within the larger landscape of waste infrastructure in New York City. Explore why sustainable waste management is important today to address issues related to climate, environment and quality of life.

Instructor: Carmelo Freda (NYC Sanitation’s Senior Manager of Policy & Planning for the Bureau of Recycling & Sustainability)

NYC Future Landscape (Containerization & Commercial Waste Zones)

Part 1: Containerization

Understand the challenges and opportunities of containerization and learn how the future of waste management will look like in New York City. This module will go over the latest plans the city has to keep waste off the streets, reclaim public space, and improve quality of life for residents.

Instructor: Rebecca Kriegman (Executive Director for Policy & Planning, DSNY)

Part 2: Commercial Waste Zones

Learn about DSNY’s current work to reform the commercial waste industry in New York City. The result of years of planning, analysis, and stakeholder engagement by DSNY, the Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ) program will create a safe and efficient commercial waste collection system that advances the City’s Green New Deal and zero waste goals while protecting worker safety and environmental health.

Instructor: Armenoush Aslanian Persico (Deputy Director, Commercial Waste at NYC Department of Sanitation)

Circular Economy

Landfilling is the end result of a linear, “take, make, waste” model of consumption. In this module, learn the basics of a circular economy and the ways we can rethink traditional supply chains and minimize negative environmental impacts. We’ll also be looking specifically at the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s (NYCEDC) Circular Design & Construction Guidelines. With construction and demolition (C&D) waste accounting for more than 60 percent of NYC’s solid waste stream, embracing circular construction and creating a local interconnected circular material network will have numerous benefits for all.

Instructor: Nicole Spina (NYCEDC Vice President, Climate Innovation & Industry Development)

Waste Policy & Action

Gain insight on how waste reduction policy work happens at the federal, state, and local level. Learn about how rules are made at the local level and how you can participate in the process. This module will cover the mechanics of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, as well as some of the current and potential upcoming EPR policies in place. We’ll also look at examples of how specific policy has impacted NYC’s waste stream over time, informed by our most recent Waste Characterization Study.

Instructor: Kate Kitchener (Director, Bureau of Recycling & Sustainability at NYC Department of Sanitation)

Waste & Water

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) oversees a broad citywide effort to better manage stormwater in the city’s combined and separate storm sewer systems. These initiatives improve the health of our local waterways and prevent flooding. Learn how our city manages to continually supply clean water for a population of over 8 million residents and the many ways New Yorkers can help protect our sewers and improve the health of our local waterways. We’ll also take an exciting peek into the inner workings of the largest wastewater treatment facility operated by the NYC DEP - the Newtown Creek Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility.

Instructor: Robin Sanchez (Director of Education at Department of Environmental Protection)

Solid Waste Management Plan

DSNY began submitting Solid Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation back in 1992. Learn about the history of SWMPs and the biggest transformations since our last plan was released in 2006. Explore more about the role we have as individuals and how we shape the waste landscape as the city prepares for the next SWMP (2026).

Instructor: Jennifer McDonnell (NYC Sanitation’s Director of Solid Waste Management Planning)

Recycling Organics

Organic materials make up about ⅓ of New York City’s waste stream, and when sent to landfill produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This module will explore the different methods of organics recycling and the science behind composting and anaerobic digestion.

Instructor: Jennifer McDonnell (NYC Sanitation’s Director of Solid Waste Management Planning)

Virtual Field Trip to Cooper Recycling

Explore the largest construction and demolition debris (C+D) recycling facility in NYC, and learn how it is able to divert about 95% of its material for beneficial reuse.

Instructor: William Cooper (Director of Business Development)

Virtual Field Trip to Balcones Materials Recovery Facility *

Explore Balcones Sunset Park Materials Recovery Facility (formerly known as Sims), which processes most of New York City’s metal, glass, and plastics. Situated on an 11-acre pier, it’s the largest and most sophisticated plant for commingled residential recyclables in North America.

Instructor: Kara Napolitano (Director of Education)

* There will also be in-person field trip options this year!

You will need to complete the following to graduate and obtain a certificate of completion:

View all 10 virtual modules (includes 2 virtual field trips) on your own time or at a Watch Party
Complete brief assignments for each module
Attend or view the recordings of (3) office hours with Academy instructors
Submit a Program Completion form at the conclusion of the Academy

Yes, you will be able to obtain a certificate of completion as long as you complete the 10 virtual modules and assignments for each. However, you will not be considered a full NYC Trash Academy graduate and are not eligible for associated alumni benefits.

The NYC Trash Academy Drop-In option is for participants interested in viewing any or all of the modules at their own pace, without participating in any other part of our full program.

While we encourage you to take advantage of the highly flexible and interactive nature of our traditional program to make the most out of the experience, we understand that everyone has their own preferences and needs.

Please note that Watch Parties, Office Hours, and any of our hybrid/in-person events (orientation, graduation, field trips) are not open to drop-in participants. See comparison chart above.

You, if you're free! The orientation is an optional in-person meet and greet taking place on January 21st at 6pm in midtown Manhattan. Light refreshments will be provided. Additional details will be provided to those admitted to the full program. This event is not open to drop-in participants.

Come meet others in your cohort and ask us any questions. There will be structured activities as well as the opportunity to stay and continue chatting with other participants - or head out! Whatever you are most comfortable with. We look forward to meeting you.

For those unable to make it in person, there will be an option to join virtually.

You can watch the 10 virtual modules on-demand at your own pace or with other participants at our scheduled watch parties.

The Watch Parties are completely optional and informal events taking place on Zoom. You will be able to watch the module simultaneously with others in your cohort and connect via the chat function. Watch Parties are only available to participants of the full program.

The three virtual Office Hours gives you the opportunity to come together with other participants to discuss the modules and ask instructors questions. Office Hours 1 will cover modules 1-3, Office Hours 2 will cover modules 4-6 and Office Hours 3 will cover modules 7-8 & Field Trips.

Office Hours will be recorded if you are not able to make it to the live virtual events. Live Office Hours and recordings are only available to full program participants.

While it is not necessary to watch the modules in any particular order, if you are a full program participant, you will need to watch the modules and complete the assignments for each module before their corresponding Office Hours.

Reach out to us at academy@sanitationfoundation.org. We're happy to help!

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The crash course for a sustainable city.

The 5th Annual
NYC Trash Academy

2025 NYC Trash Academy Tracks

2025 NYCTA Full Program Calendar

Find Your Community
at NYC Trash Academy.

NYC Trash Academy Testimonials

Michele Kaufman

Joyce Xu

Explore the Curriculum

NYC Waste History

NYC Current Landscape (DSNY)

NYC Future Landscape (Containerization & Commercial Waste Zones)

Circular Economy

Waste Policy & Action

Waste & Water

Solid Waste Management Plan

Recycling Organics

Virtual Field Trip to Cooper Recycling

Virtual Field Trip to Balcones Materials Recovery Facility *

FAQs

What are the requirements for graduating NYC Trash Academy and receiving a certificate of completion?

Will I be able to obtain a certificate of completion as a Drop-In participant?

Who should attend orientation?

What will Watch Parties be like?

What will virtual Office Hours be like?

Should I watch the modules in any particular order?

Who do I contact if I have any questions or issues?

Join us to Start
Talking Trash

Subscribe to our newsletter

Pages

Policy Pages

The crash course for a sustainable city.

The 5th Annual NYC Trash Academy

2025 NYC Trash Academy Tracks

2025 NYCTA Full Program Calendar

Find Your Communityat NYC Trash Academy.

NYC Trash Academy Testimonials

Michele Kaufman

Joyce Xu

Explore the Curriculum

NYC Waste History

NYC Current Landscape (DSNY)

NYC Future Landscape (Containerization & Commercial Waste Zones)

Circular Economy

Waste Policy & Action

Waste & Water

Solid Waste Management Plan

Recycling Organics

Virtual Field Trip to Cooper Recycling

Virtual Field Trip to Balcones Materials Recovery Facility *

FAQs

What are the requirements for graduating NYC Trash Academy and receiving a certificate of completion?

Will I be able to obtain a certificate of completion as a Drop-In participant?

Who should attend orientation?

What will Watch Parties be like?

What will virtual Office Hours be like?

Should I watch the modules in any particular order?

Who do I contact if I have any questions or issues?

Join us to Start Talking Trash

Subscribe to our newsletter

Pages

Policy Pages

The 5th Annual
NYC Trash Academy

Find Your Community
at NYC Trash Academy.

Join us to Start
Talking Trash