Initiatives

AIr-NYC

The Alliance of Independent Recyclers (AIR-NYC) is a democratic worker collective dedicated to fighting for the rights of independent recyclers/canners in New York City!

AIR-NYC is democratic organization founded by canners in 2023, which elects leaders every two years through a member vote. In addition to organizing and advocacy, they also support members through mutual aid and learning opportunities.

AIR-NYC has three key demands:

  1. Expand the New York State Bottle Bill, including increasing the deposit to ten cents

    and the handling fee to five cents and expanding the deposit to nearly all types

    of beverage containers

  2. Recognize independent recyclers as key stakeholders on municipal recycling and

    sanitation issues

  3. Grant unimpeded access of independent recyclers to redeemables and waste so

    they can do the important work of segregating out materials that would otherwise

    be landfilled or cost taxpayers dollars to recycle:

Global organizing

AIR-NYC is a member of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers, a global coalition that advocates for the social and economic inclusion of waste pickers around the world. They raise awareness of the living and working conditions of waste pickers and their contributions to sustainable development, and advocate for better laws and policies that impact waste pickers.

AIR-NYC is also an affiliate member of the North American Alliance of Wastepickers (NAWPA), a smaller alliance within the international alliance thats serves as a united voice for those who earn income through recycling in the United States and Canada.