New York City’s push to modernize its waste management system is facing potential complications as President Donald Trump considers new tariffs on Canadian imports.
The city recently began replacing its long-standing wire-mesh trash baskets, which had been a fixture on sidewalks for years. The older bins, produced by prison labor in New York state, are being swapped out for a more advanced model designed to minimize rat access and improve handling for sanitation workers.
Manufactured in Quebec at a cost of roughly $1,000 each, the updated trash cans could become significantly more expensive if Trump enforces a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, a measure that could be implemented as soon as Saturday.
“These bins have been a major upgrade,” sanitation department spokesperson Joshua Goodman told Gothamist. “They’re more effective at keeping rats out, preventing leaks, discouraging improper use, and making collection safer and easier for workers.”
City officials are closely monitoring the situation, but Goodman emphasized that any immediate consequences regarding costs or delivery schedules remain uncertain.
New York intends to replace approximately 23,000 older baskets with the redesigned models, 5,000 of which are already in service. A disruption to the rollout could prolong the use of outdated receptacles, potentially worsening sanitation issues and rodent problems.
“The wire-mesh baskets let rats in and allow waste liquids to spill onto sidewalks,” Goodman noted.
The updated bins, selected through a 2019 design competition, feature a sturdy outer shell made of metal and concrete, with a lightweight plastic insert for ease of disposal. A built-in barrier also helps prevent businesses from illegally dumping excessive commercial waste.
On Friday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s decision to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, framing the move as part of a broader effort to combat drug trafficking.
“These countries have played a role in the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S.,” Leavitt stated. “The fentanyl seized at the southern border in recent years poses a serious risk to public safety, and the president is committed to taking decisive action.”
