As a first-year legislator, Lisa garnered unanimous support for her amendment to the County’s 2025 budget. The appropriation of $75,000 will fund a study to identify opportunities and implementation strategies for waste reduction and waste diversion. It will also explore alternative technologies for disposal as well as opportunities for jobs and economic growth in the waste diversion and reuse sector.

Lisa offered this amendment on the recommendation of the Dutchess County Environmental Management Council (EMC) and in response to concerns raised by hundreds of our residents. It is the culmination of several years’ work and reflects the tireless advocacy of the Democratic caucus (shout out to Minority Leader Yvette Valdés Smith), Mothers Out Front, and residents.

Since 2018, our options for disposing off waste and recycling by sending them to other states and countries have become increasingly limited. At the same time, our landfills are reaching capacity. While we have made upgrades to our waste-to-energy facility in Dutchess, our waste stream continues to grow and the expense of disposing of the waste also continues to grow. Meanwhile, greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants from the waste sector continue to exacerbate climate change and pose serious environmental and health hazards.

This is a complex problem to solve especially since we rely on an intricate network of municipalities, the Resource Recovery Agency, private haulers, and state laws to dispose of our waste.

This study will help us understand the landscape, invite stakeholders to the table, and enable us to make informed and fiscally responsible decisions that will ensure the health of our residents and our planet.