By Shanelle Maksud

Every year, New York City collects over 36 million pounds of plastic waste, much of it littering streets, parks, and waterways—turning the city that never sleeps into a city buried in trash. From discarded bags on sidewalks to bottles clogging waterways, single-use plastics have a noticeable impact on the city’s aesthetics. This pollution also ties deeply into the city’s economy, disproportionately affecting low-income neighborhoods. Understanding how single-use plastics harm both the beauty and economics of NYC is important in addressing this growing issue and creating a cleaner, fairer environment.

Economic Disparities in Waste Management

There being a disparity between neighborhoods in NYC demonstrates that the economic burden of single-use plastic pollution is held. According to the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), the city spends millions annually on waste collection and street cleaning to combat litter, including plastic pollution (DSNY, n.d.). However, low-income neighborhoods often receive fewer resources for waste management. Emily Goldstein, Director of Organizing & Advocacy at the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development stated, “‘Building a more equitable city requires a fair distribution of resources and development. We cannot continue to allow certain communities to maintain exclusionary boundaries; nor can we continue to shortchange historically marginalized communities that need long overdue investment in public infrastructure and facilities,’” (Chik, 2023). Not having the resources to manage waste results in a visible accumulation of trash. Transform Don’t Trash NYC (2019) reports that limited waste disposal infrastructure in these areas worsens the issue, leaving residents to deal with higher levels of pollution and the risks that are associated. On the other hand, wealthier neighborhoods benefit from better-funded sanitation services. This ensures cleaner streets and a more appealing environment. This disparity not only affects residents’ quality of life but also reinforces economic inequities. Addressing these imbalances is important for creating a cleaner city for all New Yorkers.

Health Impacts

The issues of environmental justice in New York City is shown through the impact of single-use plastic pollution on low-income neighborhoods. Neighborhoods such as the South Bronx, Highbridge, Hunts Point, etc. often lack access to recycling programs and this worsens the accumulation of single-use plastic waste. Transform Don’t Trash NYC, a campaign that aims to clean and reduce pollution in neighborhoods, reports that over 75% of the city’s waste transfer stations are located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. This disproportionately affects the low-income communities within these areas. This also results in health risks, including pest infestations and poor air quality. We tend to see these risks on a day to day basis. For example, a study by the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (n.d.) found that neighborhoods with higher waste had increased rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. On the other hand, high-income neighborhoods that receive consistent sanitation services, benefit from cleaner streets. Wealthier districts such as Manhattan’s Upper East Side experience higher sanitation and waste removal funding, which showcases the uneven distribution of services among the communities. There is a need for waste management to address the disparities and to ensure that all neighborhoods receive fair access to city services.

Addressing Inequalities for a Cleaner, Fairer NYC

Single-use plastic pollution is more than just an environmental issue—it’s a reflection of the social and economic inequities in New York City. While wealthier neighborhoods continue to have cleaner streets, low-income neighborhoods continue to lack waste management and are vulnerable to health risks. The inequities not only affect the city’s aesthetic but also perpetuates economic and environmental injustice. For a healthier city, we must prioritize resource distribution  and invest in sustainable waste management solutions for the communities that don’t have it.

References

Garcia, K. (2024). New York City Fails to Comply with “Fair Share” Requirements for City Services and Facilities, New Audit & Analysis by Comptroller Lander Reveals. NYC ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE. https://nyc-eja.org/news-story/new-york-city-fails-to-comply-with-fair-share-requirements-for-city-services-and-facilities-new-audit-analysis-by-comptroller-lander-reveals/

Jolly, J. (2020, November 23). The History of Plastics Part II from 1935- 1980 by Advanced Plastiform. Advanced Plastiform, Inc. https://advancedplastiform.com/the-history-of-plastics-part-ii-1935-through-1980/

Trashing New York’s Neighborhoods. (2024). Transform Don’t Trash NYC. https://transformdonttrashnyc.org/resources/trashing-new-yorks-neighborhoods/

Weekly, C. A. (2023, November 9). New York City Fails to Comply with “Fair Share” Requirements for City Services and Facilities, New Audit & Analysis by Comptroller Lander Reveals | Caribbean American Weekly Newspaper. Caribbean American Weekly Newspaper | the Largest Caribbean-Owned, Circulated Newspaper in New York City. https://caribbeanamericanweekly.com/new-york-city-fails-to-comply-with-fair-share-requirements-for-city-services-and-facilities-new-audit-analysis-by-comptroller-lander-reveals/