SL Green Realty Corp. has announced that it will participate in the New York City Mayor’s Zero Waste Challenge in partnership with two of its tenants across 2 million square feet. 

In One New York: The Plan for a Strong and Just City, Mayor de Blasio has outlined the noteworthy commitment of sending zero waste to landfills by 2030. The Mayor’s Zero Waste Challenge is a voluntary pilot program that encourages businesses to support the City’s Zero Waste goals through sustainable waste management practices.

“SL Green is very pleased to be a part of this groundbreaking initiative. We will navigate best practices to set a precedent for others in our industry and continue to focus on our market leading sustainability program,” said Edward V. Piccinich, Executive Vice President and Director of Management & Construction for SL Green. “It is critical to preemptively align our waste strategy with relevant City goals and regulations.”

To meet the Challenge’s parameters, SL Green will expand on its extensive waste management strategy through a three-step process: 

Source separation of all recyclable materials on site

Composting of organic waste onsite

Donation of all excess organic waste

Two waste audits and monthly waste logs are submitted to the City as a benchmark to measure diversion rates and progress.

“We are continually striving for new ways to get involved in City initiatives. As NYC’s largest commercial property owner, we feel it is important to be an active participant, establishing ourselves as industry leaders and creating opportunities for tenants to join in,” said Elizabeth Majkowski, Senior Vice President, Operations and Acting Director of Sustainability for SL Green.

Participants of the Challenge committed to divert at least 50% of waste sent to landfills or incineration by June 15, 2016.

For more information, please visit: http://slgreen.com/