New York City is taking its “war on rats” a step further.

Together with Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Mayor Eric Adams announced Tuesday that all businesses across the five boroughs must put trash in a “secure, lidded” container by March 1, 2024.

What You Need To Know

  • Mayor Eric Adams announced Tuesday that all businesses across the five boroughs must put trash in a “secure, lidded” container by March 1, 2024

  • The decision follows new regulations set in place by the Adams administration over the summer, which required nearly one-quarter of businesses across the city to put out their trash in containers instead of bags

  • Since implementing the new rule over the summer, the city has received 20% fewer rat complaints than previous years, Adams said

“We’ve declared that rats are Public Enemy Number One — but we’re not stopping there; we’re also going after the black trash bags that litter our streets, aiding and abetting rodents,” Mayor Adams said in a press release. “That’s why, starting next spring, we’re requiring every New York City business to put out their trash in containers.”

The decision follows new regulations set in place by the Adams administration over the summer, which required nearly one-quarter of businesses across the city to put out their trash in containers instead of bags.

“We have had great success with containerizing our trash with food-related businesses like restaurants, grocery stores, delis and bodegas, which has resulted in shutting down the all-you-can-eat rat buffets that have been all over our city,” Adams said at a news conference Tuesday morning.

Since implementing the new rule over the summer, the city has received 20% fewer rat complaints than previous years, Adams said.

In early September, the city expanded the rule to cover all chain businesses with five or more locations in the city, bringing the share of businesses covered to 25%, according to City Hall.

If all goes according to plan, 100% of businesses within the city will have containerized trash by March.

Kathleen Corradi, the city’s director of citywide rodent mitigation, said this is a vital step in the right direction in order to reduce the city’s rodent population.

“Taking away rats’ access to food is paramount to sustained rat mitigation. The leadership from DSNY to ‘Get Stuff Clean’ and the rules to containerize waste are integral to a rat free New York City,” Corradi said in a press release.

Under the proposed rule, businesses will have the ability to choose the type and location of containers they use, so long as they have a lid and secure sides that keep rats out.

According to a news release, containers may be stored either inside or within three feet of the property line.