STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — All New York City businesses need to put their trash in containers starting Friday, March 1, according to the city Department of Sanitation (DSNY).
As part of Mayor Eric Adams’ crusade against rats, the city began efforts to containerize businesses’ trash in April, and all will have to do so starting in March.
Previously, food-related businesses needed to start using trash bins with secure lids starting Aug. 1 and chain businesses with five or more locations in the city needed to start doing so Sept. 5.
“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,” Adams said in September. “That’s why, starting next spring, we’re requiring every New York City business to put out their trash in containers. That’s 20 million pounds of black bags and rat buffets off our streets — every single day. Our streets will look cleaner and smell cleaner across all five boroughs, and New Yorkers won’t have to dodge trash mountains or scurrying rats as they’re walking.”
All business trash, disposed food, and food-soiled paper must be in a bin with a secure lid when set out at the curb for collection, but the rules do not apply to recyclables, according to DSNY. The requirements do not apply to recyclables or to businesses that have waste collected from a loading dock.
In an effort to educate businesses on the new responsibilities, DSNY sent mailers to all covered establishments, held information sessions, spoke at community meetings, and had the rules featured on the department’s social media accounts.
The city will have a one-month warning period, but after, businesses found to be in violation of the trash container rules will be subject to fines, starting at $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, and $200 for all subsequent offenses.
Adams’ administration has taken a series of other steps…
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