New York City mayor introduces new trash-bin designs to combat rat infestation

With a few exceptions, we are finding that businesses are complying with this rule.”

Vincent Gragnani, press secretary, department of sanitation

Mayor Eric Adams recently announced the newly approved trash-bin designs for the city’s impending plan to get all trash into containers and off streets. 

The mayor’s plan to put all garbage in bins has been ongoing. It officially began last fall, when food and chain businesses were required to place trash in containers, and continued this March, when all other businesses were required to begin putting trash in bins before placing it on the curb for pickup. The containerization process began after Mayor Adams declared a war against the growing number of rats in the city. 

A Long Island based pest control company estimated in 2023 there were a whopping three million rats in New York City, placing it on a list with one of the largest populations of brown rats in America. In 2010, estimates put the rat population at two million.

Despite the data, according to 311 data from 2023, the calls coming in for rat and mouse sightings dropped from 2022 to 2023. 

The next step in the mayor’s containerization plan will require residential city properties of up to nine units to use a bin with a secure lid to put trash out. This includes homes and smaller rental property buildings.

Beginning Nov. 12, trash will need to be placed into bins no larger than 55 gallons that have a secure lid to prevent animals from getting into the trash. After that, the next deadline is June 2026, when the same properties with up to nine units will need to purchase the official city-branded bins. 

The city’s official, branded bins are now available for purchase at Bins.NYC, for $45 to $53. Recycle and compasting bins, though not required, are also available purchase on the site.

Despite regulations for businesses’ trash to be put in garbage bins, the current timeline does not include businesses needing to put trash in city-branded bins, which is due in part to the requirement of businesses to hire a private carter to haul their trash. 

All city businesses are required to hire a private company to pick up their trash so it is not actually picked up by the department of sanitation and, as such, does not need to fit the city’s standards for garbage bin uniformity. 

“With a few exceptions, we are finding that businesses are complying with this rule,” Vincent Gragnani, press secretary for the city’s department of sanitation, said. 

Elizabeth Arnaud, manager at Yukka Latin Bistro, said, despite new regulations, the business has remained unaffected. 

“Because we have a private company, we always use the big bins and we always use the black trash bags so it’s not difficult, that’s what we followed before,” Arnaud said. 

Currently, businesses that do not comply are not being fined, with the containerization rule beginning in March, the city is providing a leniency period through Jan. 2, 2025, when it will begin issuing fines.

“The fine for leaving trash on New York City streets rather than in a secure bin of 55 gallons or less is $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, and $200 for a third offense and each thereafter,” the department of sanitation said in a press release. 

Gragnani said, throughout the summer and fall, the department of sanitation will make contact with businesses through mailers, canvassing and community boards concerning the new rules and any fines for noncompliance. 

Currently, the city has not devised a containerization plan for residential properties with more than nine units.