WCC works to ensure a sustainable long-term future for NYC in light of a growing population, an aging infrastructure, and an environment that is increasingly at risk. It advocates for transportation and environmental initiatives including mass transit, measures to reduce traffic congestion, green buildings, recycling and energy efficiency.

The activities of the Infrastructure Committee are funded in part through a generous grant from HSBC Bank, USA, N.A.

FY 2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ADVOCACY
•Supported tolling East and Harlem River bridges; Supported imposing Mobility Tax on regional payrolls to maintain MTA services and limit fare increases.
Result: NYS legislature approved the Mobility Tax as well as a number of organizational and reporting recommendations that had been endorsed by the Women’s City Club.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY
•Continued to serve as a member of the Campaign for NY’s Future to respond to PlaNYC.
•Urged that NYC be exempt from a new statewide plastic bag reduction bill as it was weaker than existing NYC laws.
Result: Stronger NYC laws were allowed to remain in force.
•Informed Campaign for NY’s Future that WCC opposes requiring a 5-cent plastic carryout bag fee. While in the long term it could encourage sustainable choices, raise consumer awareness and encourage the use of reusable alternatives, WCC believes that it is a regressive “tax” that would create another burden on already overburdened New Yorkers who are trying to deal with the current economic crisis.
•Supported Bigger Better Bottle Bill to increase the scope of plastic bottle recycling in NYS and provide funding for environmental initiatives. Result: Passed by the State Legislature and signed by Governor; however, many bottled drinks, such as sports drinks, remain exempt and New York City receives no money from unclaimed deposits.

INTERN RECYCLING PROJECT
•Alexandra Fairweather, a Columbia College intern from Columbia University’s Communities-In-Action Program, developed a ten week project to study and improve understanding of and compliance with New York City’s residential recycling laws by New York City residents. The
Committee Chair provided project oversight, while direct supervision was provided by past WCC Executive Director, Paulette Geanacopoulos.
Result:
1.To gain baseline information about their understanding of and compliance with recycling, WCC members were surveyed. Although it showed that the majority of participants knew what and how to recycle, the
results suggested that recycling could be confusing at times. Participants also provided recommendations on how recycling could be improved, many of which were incorporated into WCC’s materials.
2. Meetings were held with residents of several buildings interested in participating in the project. A unique feature practiced in one building was the publication of a monthly newsletter that highlights various issues including eco-friendly initiatives and recycling reminders. In addition, the
building is in the process of forming a Green Committee to spread greater awareness of recycling and eco-friendly initiatives in the building.
3. A building-wide meeting was held with the help of Andrea Schaffer, Principal of CityMatters LLC, at which WCC educational pamphlets prepared by the intern were distributed, a recycling game was played, and discussions were held regarding recycling practices and misconceptions.
4.Recommendations to improve recycling were developed and organized into a brochure for future use.
5.The intern presented a report of the project to WCC members and guests, including HSBC representatives and other supporters.
6. By early FY2010, a page will be added to WCC's website with short videos introducing the project, offering information to promote recycling, providing examples of recycling projects in other parts of the country and world, and listing information and referrals to local resources to enhance
the recycling efforts of New York City residents.

INFORMATIONAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
•Josh Nachowitz, Policy Director, NYS League of Conservation Voters
•Nancy Anderson, Executive Director of the Sallen Foundation
•Betsy Ukeritis, Regional Environmental Educator of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
•Emily Dinan, Lower East Side Ecology Center
•The Story of Stuff, a video made by Tides Foundation, Funders Workgroup for Sustainable Production and Consumption and Free Range Studios, that presents the journey of items from raw materials to trash.

COMMITTEE SITE VISITS
•Solar One, a green energy, arts and education center
•High School for Environmental Studies