NY S02563

Amends General Municipal Law Section 120-aa to clarify that solid waste separation requirements do not apply to cities with populations of one million or more if their plans meet alternative standards under Environmental Conservation Law Section 27-0107.

Creates new approval pathway for solid waste management plans from cities with one million or more residents that either comply with existing recycling requirements or demonstrate efforts to achieve state solid waste management goals through alternative methods.

Allows cities with one million or more residents to separate recyclable materials following collection (instead of prior to collection) from commercial, institutional, and industrial sources only, with mandatory separation by September 1, 2012.

Requires cities with one million or more residents to establish enforceable measures by September 1, 2008 to minimize contamination and maximize marketability of recovered materials, and by September 1, 2012 for reporting on post-collection separation processes.

Mandates that post-collection separation of solid waste occur only at facilities operating under a valid Department permit and requires annual demonstration of financial commitment to achieve mandatory separation requirements.