Title: To recycle or not to recycle? Analyzing the New York City's recycling program suspension

Authors: Tsai-Shiou Hsieh

Addresses: Graduate School and University Center, City University of New York, USA

Abstract: This article adopts a social-ecological perspective to analyze the recent recycling suspension in New York City. The author performed a historical analysis of urban recycling within an economic and political context. Modern urban recycling is moving from a small-scale, community-based activity to a consolidated, monopolized industry. The author has concluded that the suspension of NYC|s recycling program was not accidental. It could hardly have been avoided under the current capital-dominated society. The most radical solution to the issue is to challenge the current non-sustainable political-economic system, yet it is important to remain aware of non-revolutionary strategies.

Keywords: social-ecological perspective; New York City; urban recycling; USA; United States; economics; politics.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2004.053919

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2004 Vol.6 No.1, pp.82 - 91

Published online: 13 May 2013 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article