FCWC & WASS Waste in Westchester Summit 2026

On Friday, May 15, The Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions (WASS) and Federated Conservationists of Westchester County (FCWC) hosted a Waste in Westchester Summit at Pace University Law School.  The summit comprised an introduction to the problem, keynote speaker, legislative panel, actions from community organizations and ended with an example and panel discussing solutions. 

 

Paul Presendieu and Courtney Williams, Co-founders of WASS, spelled out the problems with the current method of handling solid waste (SW) using an incinerator (WHEELABRATOR) managed by WIN Waste Innovations. 

 

Kirstie Pecci, Executive Director of Just Zero (a national zero waste nonprofit) proposed action plans that are cheaper, safer ways to handle waste. 

 

The legislative panel was moderated by Courney Williams. Assemblyman Steve Otis noted that NYS requires producers to finance and manage the end-of-life recycling or disposal of specific items (e.g., electronics, rechargeable batteries, mercury thermostats, post-consumer paint, drug buyback, carpet) and more are pending for household appliances, refrigerants, mattresses, textiles, tires, gas cylinders, artificial turf.  But the PRRIA bill that would apply to all products is stalled in the Assembly.  He asked that we contact Assembly members outside Westchester (especially NYC) to support the bill to offset industry attempts to kill the bill. 

 

Charlotte Binns, Irvington Sustainability Director, emphasized that collaboration with DPW staff, engaging volunteers, and outreach to residents reduces waste (decreased in Irvington by 280 tons since 2021).

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Legislator Erika Pierce also emphasized the need to pass PRRIA, noting that all current methods of waste disposal have problems, e.g., NY State has only 16 to 19 years of landfill space remaining.

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Paul Presendieu moderated the round of Community-Based Solutions.  Links to the Organisations and their actions listed below:

Environmental Leaders of Color (training high school students in sustainability)

Sierra Club Lower Hudson Valley (Repair Cafes)

Peekskill Conservation Advisory Council  (community composting drop-off)

Beyond Plastics, Lower Westchester Chapter  -pushing PRRIA; Hosting screenings of "Plastic Detox" (Netflix) on the health impacts of plastic 

Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (Daryl Patterson)

MJ, Hudson River Music Festival - Zero Waste Coordinator - 35 more volunteers needed. Looking for a nonprofit partner to receive bottle deposit nickels for charitable use 

Keelan Shine, Hastings -Take-or-Leave-It garage (, "give, pass, donate") diverts tons per year. 

Other reuse resources from the floor - Freecycle: online platform; and Buy Nothing (Facebook)

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The summit ended with a presentation of solutions.  Suzie Fromer Repair Cafe Hudson Valley discussed the history of repair cafes. 

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Grant opportunities and resources were discussed:

Liz Sun, Hudson Valley Regional Council and Climate Smart Communities;

NYSDEC Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling Grants;

NY State Pollution Prevention Institute Community Grants). 

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Anthony Carbone, Sustainable Materials Management talked about food scrap composting facilities.

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Louis Vetrone, First Deputy Commissioner, Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities  listed the County’s programs - household MRF, Compost Ed Facility, residential food scrap program.

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For the full agenda and more details about what was discussed here, click the button below, and be sure to check out the full article in Westchester Environment's e-newsletter.