The Lincoln Square BID is dedicated year-round to ensuring that the neighborhood is clean and litter-free. Seven days a week, the BID’s Clean Team diligently picks up litter, empties trash cans, removes graffiti and stickers, and more. The Clean Team also stores all the trash it collects in the BID’s eight Citibins—compact, rodent-proof containers—for collection by the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY), ensuring that no BID trash bags containing public litter are ever left on the sidewalk.
This work is important to making Lincoln Square a vibrant and hospitable neighborhood, but we cannot do it alone—the BID is not responsible for trash from the neighborhood’s businesses or residential buildings. Commercial and retail tenants are required to manage their own waste in compliance with all rules set by DSNY. While most businesses follow these regulations, some corporate businesses in the neighborhood may be willing to accept a fine rather than comply with the rules, which negatively impacts the neighborhood. Seeing trash bags on the sidewalk gives people the license to throw garbage on top of these piles, leading to more street litter and unsanitary conditions.
DSNY has specific rules for businesses, including hiring a private carter, keeping trash inside bins with secure lids, setting them out at specific times (one hour before closing or after 8:00pm), storing their bins inside their building or within three feet of the building line, and more. Businesses that miss pickups from their carter or experience other issues can contact the Business Integrity Commission. If the BID’s staff, Public Safety Officers, or Clean Team members see violations, such as trash set out improperly, they speak with the business and ask them to take the trash back inside. DSNY provides free resources and trainings, including information sessions and downloadable materials, to assist businesses in meeting these requirements, preventing waste, and avoiding common violations. Businesses can use this form to contact DSNY’s Bureau of Commercial Waste with questions.
Let’s all do our part to ensure Lincoln Square is kept clean!
Photo credit: BID Staff
