Mayor Adams ceremoniously rolls out the official NYC trash bin outside Gracie Mansion to launch the new bins, now available for purchase. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office,
On July 8, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch showcased the New York City trash bin, that will be required in the future for properties with one to nine residential units as part of the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce rat populations by limiting access to trash for rodents. At the press conference, Sanitation Commissioner Tisch stated, “people wonder why we have a rat problem in this city. Historically we have left 16 billion pounds of trash out for them to eat every year.”
The required trash bin comes in two sizes, a 35- and 45-gallon bin. The trash bins are rat-proof containers that are durable, equipped with wheels, and a secure rodent-resistant latching lid. The bins will come equipped with a bar in front for sanitation workers to attach the bin to tippers that will be put on the back of the current sanitation trucks so the trash bins can be mechanically tipped. According to Commissioner Tisch, half of the injuries sustained by sanitation workers are sprains and strains from personally heaving trash bins contents into their trucks, so the new bins will help prevent those injuries.
The new bins can be ordered online now and are $45.88 for the 35-gallon bin and $53.01 for the 45-gallon bin. Matching recycling and compost bins are not required but are also available for purchase. According to the city, comparable bins with similar wheels and latching lids are sold in stores for almost three times the offered price.
The administration also announced a new rule to require all buildings with nine or less residential units, and all special use buildings with Sanitation collection like city agencies, houses of worship, or offices within residential buildings to put their trash in containers by November 12, 2024. The new official bins must be purchased and in use by June 1, 2026, providing over 18 months for property owners to purchase the new bins. There will be a grace period with the issuance of fines commencing on January 2, 2025. As with existing commercial containerization requirements, the fine for leaving trash on New York City streets rather than in a secure bin of 55 gallons or less is $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, and $200 for a third offense and each thereafter. The city will engage in an outreach campaign this summer and work with community boards and civic associations to share information about the new changes. With this new rule change, 70 percent of the city’s 14 billion annual pounds trash will be containerized.
Mayor Adams said, “Today, we are tossing even more black bags into the dustbin of history and taking the next step forward in our Trash Revolution. The first-ever, official NYC Bin is high-quality, affordable, and will build on our efforts containerizing more than 70 percent of the city’s trash to protect our most valuable and limited resource — our public space.”
Commissioner Tisch stated, “Many property owners already use bins for their trash — and pay over $100 retail in order to keep the streets clean. Well, we’ve got great news: at the same time that we’re moving to require containerization of trash for all buildings with one to nine residential units, we’re unveiling the official ‘NYC Bin’ — beautiful, durable, and less than $50 for the most common size.”
By: Chelsea Ramjeawan (Chelsea is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2025.)