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
Mary Ellen Sullivan, 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
Debbie Herdan, 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
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!
Past Chair Oliver Wright quoted in the Guardian article on NYC’s rat problem in September
And again in the WasteDive review of the City Council hearing on 9/20
BkSWAB members Greg and Pablo supported “Celebrate Our Earth” Waste Collection Event at Wagner Houses on May 11, 2022. Check out the coverage here.