New rules go into effect April 1, 2023 – will end city’s “five o’clock shadow” of trash bags
As part of the Adams Administration’s ongoing commitment to cleaning up New York City’s streets and strengthening the city’s economic recovery, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced the final publication of new rules to limit the number of hours trash, recycling, and organics will sit on New York City sidewalks by adjusting the time of day those materials may be placed on the curb. This makes good on a commitment made in mid-October, and comes after a 30-day public comment period and public hearing.
Currently, trash, recycling and organics may be placed on the curb after 4:00 PM the night before collection – the earliest of any major American city – meaning that in many neighborhoods these items can sit out for more than 14 hours, including during the evening pedestrian rush hour. These new rules, which go into effect April 1, 2023, will decrease the amount of time waste is left on the curb, diminishing the eyesore of black bags, reducing trash for rats, and improving cleanliness – and ultimately boosting the city’s recovery.
Under the new rules, residential buildings have up to three options, each of which would substantially decrease the amount of time waste is on the curb:
•Place waste out after 6:00 PM in a secure container,
•Bundled cardboard, which does not attract rats, may be placed next to the container at this time – a change DSNY made to the rule as a result of public comment.
•Place trash out after 8:00 PM if putting bags directly on the curb, or
•If a building has nine or more residential units, the property owner may opt in to a 4:00 – 7:00 AM set-out window instead. The opt-in period will run for the month of
January each year, allowing DSNY to design quick and efficient routes that take effect April 1.
Taken together, this means waste will sit on the curb for a fraction of the time it does currently. These rules apply to recycling and curbside composting as well as regular refuse.
This announcement also includes new clarified rules for commercial establishments, which do not receive service from DSNY but rather from private waste haulers.
Businesses may choose from one of the following options:
•Place waste out after 8:00 PM if putting bags directly on the curb or
•Place waste out one hour before closing in a secure container. Bundled cardboard may go next to the container.
In addition to these new proposed rules, DSNY is doing more of its collection on the midnight shift than pre-pandemic, further reducing the amount of time trash sits on the street. Overnight collection now accounts for approximately one quarter of all collection operations – roughly 5 million pounds per night.