SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): Century Waste Services filed a lawsuit against New York City’s Department of Sanitation (DSNY) on December 9, challenging the agency’s decision not to award it one of three Staten Island commercial waste zone contracts. The company claims DSNY improperly evaluated Priority First Carting’s bid, which featured significantly lower pricing, and seeks to annul Priority’s contract in favor of Century.
DSNY, currently restructuring the city’s commercial waste system into 20 zones with three contracts each, has declined to comment on the pending litigation. Priority also did not respond. While implementation has begun in three zones, Staten Island’s start date remains pending, with full transition planned by 2027.
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Century CEO Marc Savino emphasized Staten Island’s strategic importance due to its proximity to the company’s Elizabeth, New Jersey headquarters and longstanding customer investments. Savino questioned the viability of Priority’s rates, noting their low pricing could undermine service quality.
Priority employs nine staff with six trucks, compared to Century’s 84 employees and 43 trucks. DSNY weighted pricing at 40% of bid evaluations, and while Priority ranked first on price, it lagged in technical and operational categories. Century previously submitted public records requests and formally sought contract reconsideration before initiating litigation.