New NYC garbage guidelines Rollout on Tuesday

Officials said it's part of Mayor Eric Adams’ efforts to keep the city clean and get rid of rats.

Tim Harfmann

Nov 12, 2024, 3:48 AM

Updated 2 days ago

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New NYC trash rules go into effect on Tuesday.
Officials said it's part of Mayor Eric Adams’ efforts to keep the city clean and get rid of rats.
Patricia Rossi, of Morris Park, said she is now wheeling her cans to the curb, after decades of garbage pail pain.
“I would always drag the cans out, and after a while they’d get worn out, so you’d have to buy new ones,” said Rossi.
The 76-year-old said she ordered three new bins through the city -- paying $177 - so she can abide by the garbage guidelines.
“They’re easy to handle because they have wheels when I take them out,” said Rossi. “And I think it’s a neat look.”
The city’s Department of Sanitation said nearly 400,000 bins have been bought, as NYC rolls out the first residential trash bin requirement since the early 1970s.
The latest rules will apply for buildings with one-to-nine units.
The new trash cans must be 55 gallons or less and have a secure lid on them.
There is a warning period in effect through Jan. 2, but you can be fined after that.
“If it keeps away rats and mice, I'm all for it,” said Rossi.
But other New Yorkers residents had mixed reactions.
“Rats are smart,” said Douglas Harms, of Morris Park. “They’ll probably knock the cans over.”
“It’s going to be a good solution for [the city’s rat issue],” said Kathy O'Brien, of Morris Park.
If you already use another bin that is 55 gallons or less and has a secure lid, the city said you can still use it until June 2026, which is when you must switch to the official NYC containers.