The lives of New Yorkers are going to change permanently. Starting today, Residential Trash Rules are going to affect all properties with nine or fewer residential units throughout the five boroughs, forcing New Yorkers to put their compost trash out in plastic black bins, already used by restaurants, on the sidewalk.
By June 2026, residents of properties affected by Residential Trash Rules must dispose of it in the city’s official bins, which cost $45-53 each. Until Dec. 31, 2024, those who fail to comply with the rules will receive only a warning. But starting Jan. 1, 2025, they face a fine of $50, $100, $200 depending on the severity of the violation. The trash collection schedule will be between 6 PM and midnight if it’s in a bin with a secured lid or between 8 PM and midnight if it’s in bags.
To avoid taking up too much sidewalk space, the New York Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has recommended that collecting bins be in alleyways, if possible, courtyards, or within three feet of the building to allow for pedestrian flow, even giving up some parking space as well.
This measure is part of the rat control plan initiated by current Mayor Eric Adams. In 2023, the City Council passed a law to separate organic waste from the rest of the recyclables by using brown bins to distinguish them. Last spring, officials required wheeled bins for all commercial waste, which covers about half of the city’s daily refuse. Under the Residential Trash Rules, about 41 percent of New York City’s housing units will be involved, affecting about one-fifth of the approximately 44 million pounds of waste the city produces each day, according to the report. Starting next July, fixed bins will begin to be placed in West Harlem for larger homes with more than 31 units, as the final part of the plan.
The city had stopped using rigid plastic dumpsters more than 50 years ago, under the administration of John Lindsay. Following a sanitation strike that had caused excessive trash accumulation on the streets, the mayor decided to switch to plastic bags, and there has been no change since. Last summer, Mayor Adams had launched the Residential Trash Rules by taking the stage at a press conference in front of Gracie Mansion, displaying a rigid bin to show reporters, presenting them as if they were an innovation.
“Welcome to our trash revolution.” Mayor Adams introduces the new bin that buildings with 1-9 units will be required to use instead of loose bags of garbage pic.twitter.com/nMiAZiXMVz
— Liam Quigley (@_elkue) July 8, 2024
