New trash rules went into effect Saturday morning. City residents who have trash cans with secured lids now cannot put their bins at the curb before 6 p.m.
Businesses can take their trash out an hour before closing if they are using a container with a secure lid.
The city's Department of Sanitation says the change is long overdue.
What You Need To Know
- Under new rules, trash in a container can go out at 6 p.m. or later and trash in a bag can go out at 8 p.m. or later
- These rules apply for recycling and composting as well
- Some people are not happy with the new rules
- The city's Department of Sanitation says the goal is to have trash on the street for less time to prevent rats
“I know that change is difficult and this is a change that affects every resident and every business in our city, but it is a change that absolutely has to happen,” Jessica Tisch, the commisioner of the city Department of Sanitation, said.
City Councilman Sean Abreu, who represents Morningside Heights, West Harlem, Manhattan Valley, Manhattanville, Hamilton Heights and Washington Heights, helped come up with this new rule. He thinks it will lead to less rats coming out, because garbage will be on the curb for a shorter amount of time.
“We know it will change garbage policy because now, we are limiting the window during which garbage will be out on the street. Before, it would sit out 14 hours on end overnight,” Abreu said.
Residential buildings have the option to apply for a 4 a.m.-7 a.m. set-out period. Buildings with nine or more units can apply for this during the month of January. The next time the application window will open is Jan. 1, 2024.
Liz Levy and her family manage buildings in the city, and they say this new change hurts them.
“[Building superintendents] usually leave work at around 6 p.m.,” Levy said. “Especially in the dark, it could be very dangerous if they slip or fall, if something is in the way, and it just doesn’t make sense for them to stay later if the job could be done two hours earlier.”
She also is upset that the new times impact people who observe the Sabbath.
“They’re not able to take out the garbage or the trash, so a lot of it is going to stay on people’s properties for longer than expected, just because they’re going to want to refrain from getting tickets,” Levy said.
The Department of Sanitation says that in 2020, there were more than 16,000 calls of people reporting rats. There were over 25,000 in 2021 and around 26,000 last year.
“The trash needs to sit at home more so it can increase mice at home, so I think that might actually be a problem,” city resident Faria Ali said.
The new later times also apply for recycling and composting. The city will have a one-month grace period before giving out fines.