New York audit reveals major gaps in state recycling data collection

An audit by the Office of the New York State Comptroller highlighted serious shortcomings in the Department of Environmental Conservation's handling of recycling data from 2021 through 2023. The review noted that 32% of required annual reports from Recyclables Handling and Recovery Facilities were never submitted, and the figures that were filed were frequently inaccurate or lacked supporting evidence. Additionally, 35% of the facilities escaped inspection during the period, preventing verification of the reported numbers.

State officials warned that these data gaps make it difficult to gauge progress toward New York's goal of cutting greenhouse-gas emissions by 85% from 1990 levels by 2050, especially since solid waste accounts for 12% of the state's emissions. The DEC responded that the comptroller had overstated the deficiencies but agreed to enhance its tracking and reporting processes. The audit follows earlier comptroller scrutiny of other state programs, underscoring concerns about fiscal transparency.