Waste Transfer Stations

The neighborhoods surrounding Newtown Creek host a combined 19 waste transfer stations (WTS). Collectively, these WTS handle almost 40% of the 12 million plus tons of waste moving through WTS in NYC annually. This is the densest concentration if WTS stations in New York City.

NCA is a member of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. (Organizations United for Trash Reduction and Garbage Equity), a coalition of more than two dozen community and civic groups which came together in 1999 to address the growth of the waste industry in East Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Check out  O.U.T.R.A.G.E. on Facebook.

Barge NYC’s Garbage Map

At New York City’s 58 waste transfer stations, waste collection vehicles transfer their loads to tractor-trailer trucks, railcars, or marine barges for export. Because WTS are not evenly distributed throughout the City and because most WTS use tractor-trailers for export, disposing of NYC’s waste generates unnecessary truck traffic and pollution. By utilizing marine transfer stations in closer proximity to collection vehicle routes, the City can alleviate environmental impacts for the whole City and in neighborhoods inundated by more than their fair share of the City’s noxious infrastructure. A single barge can carry as much garbage as twenty-eight tractor-trailer trucks. By building marine transfer stations and barging New York City’s garbage, the City can reduce waste related truck traffic in the City by more than 3 million miles annually. Cutting diesel powered truck traffic will improve air quality across the city, cut carbon emissions, reduce traffic congestion, trim maintenance costs for our roads and bridges, and improve quality of life. Click here to download a pdf map/fact sheet about New York City’s WTS and the Solid Waste Management Plan.