Mayor Eric Adams announced this past Monday, October 17, that trash will no longer be allowed on NYC sidewalks until 8p.m.–a four hour push back from the original 4p.m. trash take-out time.
As reported earlier this year on May 8, rat sightings have increased by more than 60% from the first four months of pre-pandemic 2019, and the city’s rat problem is the worst it’s been in over a decade.
The new NYC trash rules are just part of the Adams administration’s ongoing commitment to clean up NYC’s streets and fight against these midnight snackers.
As it stands now, trash and recycling may be placed on the curb after 4p.m. the night before collection. In many neighborhoods trash can sit on the sidewalk for more than 14 hours, including during the evening pedestrian rush hour. By enforcing the new 8p.m. rule, trash will be left on the sidewalks for a shorter time, diminishing the eyesore of black bags, reducing food for rats, and improving cleanliness.
Under the new NYC trash rules residential buildings would have three options:
- Place trash out after 6p.m. if in a secure container
- Place trash out after 8p.m. if putting bags directly on the curb
- Opt in to a 4a.m. – 7a.m. trash set-out window for buildings with nine or more residential units
For commercial establishments who receive service from private waste haulers, businesses may either place trash out after 8p.m. if putting bags directly on the curb or take their trash out one hour before the business’ closing in a secure container.
In addition to the new trash take-out time, DSNY is doing more of its trash collection during the midnight shift, further reducing the amount of time trash sits on the street.
A public comment period will be open until November 18, before a public hearing being held that morning at 9:30a.m. DSNY will publish final rules later this year after considering these comments. Public comments can be submitted by email, mail, or via the city’s website.
“Rush hour shouldn’t also be trash hour. By reducing the hours trash is allowed to sit on our streets, we are giving New Yorkers back their sidewalks,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “New Yorkers will see and smell the difference, and rats will be cut off from their all-you-can-eat buffet.”
The new rules are slated to go into effect on April 1, 2023 and would apply to recycling and curbside composting as well.