About

The Brooklyn Solid Waste Advisory Board (BkSWAB) is a volunteer citizens’ advisory board that advises the Brooklyn Borough President on policies and programs regarding NYC’s waste prevention, reuse, and recycling. We care about how waste affects our borough and are working to increase community engagement in order to transform New York City into a place where material recovery is part of our culture. Our diverse group is comprised of solid waste management industry leaders, waste reduction consultants, sustainability professionals, and concerned citizens.

The BkSWAB meets on the first Monday of the month at Brooklyn Borough Hall (currently on Zoom), and meetings are open to the public. We have a number of active committees, all of which are open to the public as well.

The Brooklyn SWAB was created per Local Law 19, the mandatory recycling law established in 1989, which requires a SWAB in each borough. The Bronx SWAB, Manhattan SWAB and Queens SWAB are also currently active.

Mission

The BkSWAB aims to carry out the function of the citizens' board as outlined in the NYC Administrative Code, serving as a trusted community resource to the Brooklyn Borough President and City Council members on issues related to waste in our borough.

Become a BkSWAB Member

Thanks for your interest in becoming a BkSWAB member! Membership is FREE, and open to all.

How to apply for membership:

Attend at least 3 of our last 6 monthly board meetings. You can apply the night of your third meeting.
Complete the online application.
The BkSWAB Executive Committee will review and forward your application to the Brooklyn Borough President.

As a member of the BkSWAB, you are required to:

Attend at least 6 monthly board meetings in the calendar year
Join at least 1 committee (see below), and attend its meetings

Members

Similar to Community Boards, BkSWAB members are appointed by the Brooklyn Borough President.

Current members:

Rhonda Keyser, Chair

Beth Slepian, Vice Chair

Debbie Herdan, Secretary

Michael Rieser, Sergeant at Arms

Anne Bassen, Board Member

Kendall Christiansen, Board Member

Vasil Diyamandoglu, Board Member

Betty Feibusch, Board Member

Suzan Frazier, Board Member

Pablo Garcia, Board Member

Rich Grousset, Board Member

Mark Hellerman, Board Member

Afia Henriques, Board Member

Elissa Iberti, Board Member

Bella Muccari, Board Member

Ulrike Nicshan, Board Member

Dylan Oakley, Board Member

Elizabeth Royzman, Board Member

Shari Rueckl, Board Member

Robert Saffer, Board Member

Claire Sprouse, Board Member

Mary Ellen Sullivan, Board Member

Vandra Thorburn, Board Member

Oliver Wright, Board Member

Committees

Executive Committee

Organics Industry Committee

Legislative Committee

Events Committee

Outreach Committee

NYCHA Committee (Liaison to MSWAB led committee)

BkSWAB in the news!