Private trash haulers that collect corrugated paper and cardboard for recycling from New York City businesses are losing at least $10 million yearly to thieves who swipe the discards from curbside before authorized collection occurs, according to Crain's New York Business.

The theft of cardboard intended for recycling is estimated at least $10 million.In response to industry complaints, the City Council Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste has scheduled a hearing, June 28 at 10 a.m., on a bill, co-sponsored by its chairwoman, Letitia James of Brooklyn.  The legislative proposal, T2012-4917, would increase penalties for "unlawful removal or acceptance of certain recyclable materials."

Waste hauling industry representatives speculate that a handful of theft rings have carved up the city's turf to avoid competing with each other..

The Business Integrity Commission, which licenses and regulates the 250 commercial carting companies doing business in New York City, has only 15 investigators. The New York City Department of Sanitation police focus on theft of residential recyclables, another persistent problem that drains revenues intended to offset waste handling and disposal costs for city taxpayers.