NEWYORK: Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner (DSNY) Gregory Anderson announced today that six new Community Districts across the city will have 100% trash containerization by the end of 2027.
This announcement means that eight of the city’s 59 districts will have zero trash bags on the streets next fall, with the administration committing to full citywide trash containerization by end of 2031.
“In the wealthiest city in the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, no New Yorker should have their sidewalks covered in garbage. By finishing the job on containerization, we will ensure New York City’s streets remain the envy of the world,” said Mayor Mamdani.
“We have the plan, we’re investing the money and we’re delivering on the promise of clean, healthy streets for every neighborhood.”
“Containerization is a long overdue step in bringing our city’s trash collection into the modern era, putting an end to the piles of garbage that have become far too common across our city,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson.
“We will be hard at work rolling out this program throughout the five boroughs, keeping our public realm clean, safe and enjoyable for all New Yorkers.”
“Neighborhood by neighborhood, we are ending the decades-long era of trash bags on the streets of New York City,” said Sanitation Commissioner Anderson.
“Others have talked a lot about containerizing the city’s trash, but we are actually getting it done, delivering cleaner streets and sidewalks, and fewer rats, to every corner of the city.”
Businesses and low-density residential buildings, including single-family homes, are already required to put their trash into smaller “wheelie bins.”
The announcement covers trash from higher-density residential buildings, whose building managers will put their trash into stationary on-street containers known as Empire Bins. These Empire Bins are assigned to individual buildings and accessible only to building managers. They will be serviced by North America’s first automated side-loading trucks.
“Last year, the City Council passed my bill, the Rat Act (Int. 1123), to expand containerization citywide and finally get those unsightly heaps of trash bags off our sidewalks,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “I am thrilled for Mayor Mamdani and DSNY Commissioner Anderson’s announcement today to expand containerization to community board districts in every borough, including Community Board 8 in my district. It is encouraging to see this work begin to scale across the city. Containerization is a critical tool in addressing our rat crisis and improving street cleanliness. I look forward to continuing to work with the Mayor and Commissioner to build on this momentum and ensure this effort is fully realized citywide in the coming years.”
“It’s a great win for Lower Manhattan to be prioritized in the expansion of containerization. Community Board 2 has chronic sanitation issues that clog busy streets and create real quality-of-life problems for residents, workers and visitors,” said Council Member Christopher Marte. “Containerization makes a world of a difference in making sure our sidewalks and streets are designed for people to thrive, not rats. I look forward to working with the Department of Sanitation, CB2, and our neighbors to implement cleaner streets, and further beautify the neighborhoods we love.”
“Residential containerization is a mandatory citywide initiative, and our office will be working hand in glove with the administration and DSNY to make sure this rollout makes sense for Staten Island and goes as smoothly as possible for our communities,” said Council Member Kamillah Hanks.
“I am excited to see the expansion of residential containerization in the Bronx. This is a first step in resolving the longstanding issue of rats and illegal dumping in our streets,” said Council Member Oswald Feliz.
“Our community deserves cleaner spaces, and I applaud Mayor Mamdani for taking the initiative to continue to improve the quality of life of our neighbors.”
