Kathryn Garcia is the 43rd Commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation. She started her career as an intern in the Department and returned in 2014 when appointed as Commissioner. At DSNY, Commissioner Garcia introduced the Department's first Strategic Plan and implemented a modernized citywide snow response structure. Under her leadership, DSNY has set the key environmental goal to send zero waste to landfills by 2030. Before returning to DSNY, Commissioner Garcia served in several roles at the Department of Environmental Protection, where she was ultimately appointed Chief Operation Officer. In that position, she was responsible for the operation of the City's water supply, water and sewer system, and wastewater treatment plants. The New York City Department of Sanitation announced the release of its 2017 NYC Residential, School, and NYCHA Waste Characterization Study, the latest look at what New Yorkers put in their trash, recycling, and organics bins. In an April 2018 Press Release, Garcia stated: "The average New York City household throws away less and recycles more today than five years ago. The study also shows us that we have incredible opportunities to develop and grow programs to achieve even more. Together, we are working toward our goal of sending zero waste to landfills by 2030."