The mayor and the city’s Department of Sanitation are joining forces to combat the city’s rat problem.

The plan is to reduce the amount of time trash is out on streets before it is picked up by sanitation employees. Residents and businesses are no longer allowed to put their trash out prior to 8 p.m., or 6 p.m. if in a container. 

"It made no sense that these garbage bags have remained on the street for such a long period of time,” said Mayor Eric Adams at a press conference on Monday. “They have become open season for rodents going into these bags, creating a real health problem in this city." 

The Department of Sanitation will hold a public hearing on the newly proposed waste pick-up plan on Nov. 18. If approved the plan will go into effect next April.