NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) recently released information about two new changes that will affect all businesses. One rule requires all businesses to put trash in sealed containers starting March 1. The City is also reforming the City’s commercial waste carting industry, beginning with a pilot zone in Queens.
All Commercial Waste Must Be Containerized:
We applaud DSNY for its continued push for clean streets!
Starting March 1, 2024, all businesses in NYC must use bins with secure lids when setting out trash for collection. Businesses that do not use a bin with a secure lid will be FINED.
Businesses must:
- Store bins inside or in a rear yard if possible. If space is not available, bins can be stored within three (3) feet of the building line when not set out for collection.
- Set bins out after 8:00 pm or an hour before closing.
- Maintain bins in a neat and orderly manner and always allow for a clear path of pedestrian travel on the sidewalk.
For recycling, bins with secure lids can be set out at the curb 1 hour before closing, and clear bags can only be used after 8:00pm.
Interested in learning more? Join DSNY for a virtual information session about commercial containerization on:
– Tuesday, February 6 at 11:00 AM
– Monday, February 12 at 3:00 PM (Spanish)
– Wednesday, February 21 at 10:00 AM
– Monday, February 26 at 1:00 PM (Mandarin/Cantonese)
– Thursday, March 7 at 5:00 PM
– Friday, March 15 at 10:00 AM (Spanish)
– Tuesday, March 19 at 3:00 PM (Mandarin/Cantonese)
– Monday, March 25 at 5:00 PM
For more information, visit the DSNY website or check out DSNY’s flyer.
DSNY to Implement Commercial Waste Reform:
While DSNY collects trash, recycling, and compostable material from residents, businesses must use private carters to collect waste. On January 30, 2024, DSNY announced details about the implementation of a new commercial waste reform that is required to follow Local Law 199 of 2019. The law is meant to reform the existing commercial carting industry by providing new safety standards for workers in the commercial carting industry, improving service for businesses, increasing diversion rates, and reducing vehicle miles traveled.
The program will launch in the first zone (Queens Central) in fall 2024. DSNY will use this pilot zone to inform the rollout plan for the rest of the zones. As part of the reform, DSNY selected three carters in each of the City’s 20 zones to provide small businesses with service choice and competitive pricing (find an alternative map on DSNY’s Commercial Waste Zones website). DSNY also established contracts with five carters to operate citywide to pick up containerized waste from compactors and businesses that have loading docks. Awardees are listed here by zone; the Lincoln Square BID is located within the Manhattan West Zone, which will be serviced by Action Carting Environmental Services, Inc., Classic Recycling New York Corp., and Waste Connections of New York, Inc.
We look forward to its eventual implementation in Lincoln Square, and will share more information once available.
Learn more on www.nyc.gov/cwz and read DSNY’s full press release here.
Photo Credit: DSNY
