NEW YORK, NY - D’Arrigo Bros. of New York, Inc. is not wasting time in their pursuit of sustainability. The company has been recognized by New York City for its participation in the Mayor’s Zero Waste Challenge, part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s comprehensive OneNYC plan to send Zero Waste to landfills by 2030.
“D’Arrigo Brothers is committed to New York City’s Green Mission,” said Matthew D’Arrigo, Vice President of D’Arrigo Brothers, in a press release. “Participating in the Mayor’s Zero Waste Challenge was a natural partnership. We were able to strengthen our sustainability efforts as we strive to divert waste through reusing, donating, composting, and recycling.”
To successfully complete the challenge, D’Arrigo Bros. and more than thirty other participants committed to divert at least 50 percent of their waste from landfill and incineration. The company donated 216.13 tons of produce to NYC Parks, City Harvest, Food Bank of NYC, and others.
At the beginning of the challenge, the D’Arrigo Bros. diversion rate was roughly 85 percent, today it exceeds 95 percent. To do this it changed existing processes; the company implemented a strategy that integrates waste removal throughout all employees’ routine tasks, rather than waiting until the end of the day to have a few individuals take care of waste.
“The Zero Waste Challenge allowed D’Arrigo Brothers to help NYC meet the goal of reducing carbon emissions, producing less waste and donating food to those in need,” said Matthew D’Arrigo. “I believe that our participation can serve as a role model for others looking to comply with the city's recycling laws and help New York City achieve its zero waste goal."
This Zero Waste Challenge comes ahead of the new commercial organics law, which will require certain subsets of businesses to source separate food scraps and other organic material for beneficial use in 2017, as well as new commercial recycling rules that simplify the city’s current commercial recycling rules, making them easier for businesses to follow.
As more companies continue to focus on reducing waste, stay with AndNowUKnow as we report on their progress.
