Opinion: The (Il)Logic Of The New Garbage Pail Rules

The (Il)Logic Of the New Garbage Pail Program

Everyone’s aware of the roll-out of new rules governing how we can lawfully put out our non-recyclable trash in New York City.

Basically, we now need to use pails with a latching top, and as of June, 2026, we’ll have to use the special pails with attached tops that can work with the new automated sanitation tipper trucks.

In case you want the exact law, here’s a link.

While the new trash can plan is aimed at curbing the citywide rat infestation, there are issues.

Do We Even Have A Rat Infestation On The Island?

I am thinking that the answer is no, except in areas of high density housing, or near  restaurants.

I don’t think I’ve even seen too many rats on the island.  Field mice, voles, moles…all, yes!

I think this may be a solution that is too broadly aimed at all city residences, while the focus must be more precise.

Overstuffed Pails That Can’t Possibly Latch Closed

I’m seeing issues all over my neighborhood.

Just today, I saw houses with the regulation pails in front, but way overstuffed, popping wide open.

Just this morning, I saw neighbors with non-regulation pails with latching lids STILL having the need for  more black bags of household trash.

I Guess This Week We All Created A Lot of Garbage?

Is it because it’s cold and we’re at home, getting stuff done or just taking it easy?

Really, I don’t care.

I just care that no one seems to be able to comply…and thus, I see a lot of older people, kind people who are great neighbors, risking fines because they can’t put out the garbage as specified in the new rule.

As a result, my neighbors could be subject to fines.

Save The Trash For Next Week! And the Next! And the Next!

What happens when there’s one week when you have extra trash? Like after a big birthday party with tons of family over?

That’s not fitting in two, or even, three garbage pails.

So, what are we supposed to do? Keep the black trash bags on the side of the house until next week? Or, leave them in the garage so the whole house stinks?

Advertisement

But what if next week, we have even more household trash, as the refrigerator and freezer got a Spring Cleaning?

Where are we now? Three black bags on the side of the house. Waiting. Oh, and next week, we have to deal with sorting the closets for clothes to donate or throw away. Now it’s six trash bags waiting!

How is that good for preventing rats? Where’s the logic in this? This would create a potential rat population explosion, if anything.

Ever Hear Of a Raccoon, City Folk?

Anyway, in most places on the island, it’s raccoons getting into garbage anyway, not rats!

As time has progressed, our wild surroundings have diminished in size and number, so those empty lots and scraps of woods everywhere are now homes and strip malls.

Still, most of the island is still relatively wild, as compared with the rest of the city.

This law is ill-conceived and should not apply to Staten island residences, or any city residences,   for that matter,  that are not on blocks that are urban in character with a high number of residents and dwellings.

Overnight Workers Getting the Finger

What about City Workers?

My neighbor is a cop who works at night. My other neighbor works in the city doing some overnight street repairs.

My family member is a cop and  they get home late.  They all leave for work before 8 PM and are home well after the truck has flown right by their houses.

Not everyone has someone in the family who can be there to throw out the trash.

And, it’s not just police and city workers who do overnight shifts, it’s really anyone who works the dreaded overnight. That’s unfair.

Can we at least have the rule changed for the island’s non-dense streets to be 5 PM?

What About the Safety of Kids?

Adolescents, and even  younger children, are often tasked with throwing out the trash and taking the pails out to the curb.

But a horrible facts is this: many people disappear throwing out the garbage.

It’s not just an urban legend or unsubstantiated myth going around. It’s true.

I’d rather know the kids on the island, and across the city, don’t have to venture out at 8 PM to bring out the family’s garbage!

That’s dark, or at least dusk, in most months. Why jeopardize the safety of kids?

And, garbage pails are often in driveways.

At night, kids risk getting run over. Of course, that also applies to anyone else  throwing out the garbage at night.

What About the Safety of Our Elder Men and Women?

Do you mean to tell me we are forcing the elders on the island to venture out into sometimes ten degree weather with black ice everywhere in the middle of winter?

Forget about getting robbed, someone can slip! I saw this happen a few weeks back.

Horrible. Thankfully, the elder lady was fine.

And, many elder islanders and city residents suffer from vision deterioration.

Why force them outside in the dark, in the colder months?

Four Hours Is Such A Narrow Window!

What if your schedule has a truck coming at midnight, or shortly thereafter?

Technically, any sanitation truck schedule can switch for a day, or longer,  and your truck can come at unpredictable times.

What If You Miss The Sanitation Truck One Week?

If you happen to miss the garbage pick-up, for any reason, you’re screwed. Why? How are you going to possibly throw away twice the refuse next time?

I think we’re all going to end up having piles of black garbage bags piling up on the sides of our homes. The garbage belongs in the truck!

Will This Policy Create Dumping?

How could it not? People aren’t going to sit idly by while garbage piles up on the side of their house.

Many will probably just throw their garbage out at someone else’s curb. Or, find a business and just use their dumpster.

That’s wrong, and illegal, but people do things they shouldn’t, in reality.

What About Stolen Mandated Garbage Pails?

The new pails are going to be a hot commodity!

Everyone will need them! So, are there yet reports of stolen pails?

I’m not sure if pails are rampantly being swiped, but I think I’ve heard this is, in fact, a thing.

I’m not really sure about that, so I’ll hold off on saying it’s an issue. For now.

Is this going to be the new Buick Riviera for the 2020s?

In 1985, the Buick Riviera was the car stolen more than any other model, according to the New York Times.  Is this going make the ’85 Riviera thefts seem like small potatoes?

The pails are not cheap, nor are there any NYC or other programs that get the pails out to residents, free of charge.

A garbage pail has no VIN number, they all look the same, and cops won’t be out looking for a swiped garbage pail.

So, I can imagine that stealing pails may yet become a thing.

I suggest using markers that acid-etch the surface. That never comes off.

Write your address and write it BIG.

Non-Attached Lids Roll All Over The Street

On a windy day, like yesterday, the lids from everyone’s “secure latching” pails were rolling, getting airborne, and flinging all over the street.

This creates a hazard, as drivers have to driver around the lids. And, then someone has to go and get them.

Pails With  Lids Create A Stench and Hazard

I’d prefer not to use pails with lids, either attached or not. Why not?

Because on hot days when it’s 100-plus degrees, the garbage is going to be boiling, and when you open the pail, you’re going to be breathing in some horrible air, perhaps filled with mold spores, bacteria, or worse.

Staten Island Resident Shows How You Can Save On Costs…For now.

If you can’t afford or don’t have the space for more pails or just think this is dumb, I have a solution.

For the days when you have only household waste pickup, you can cover the blue or green stickers on your other two types of pails for metal/glass/etc. and paper recyclables.

Use tape and just cover the label with a piece of cardboard. You can make the tape in loops on the back, or put it all around.

You can even place a couple of stickers, one for each type of recycle can, on one side of the cardboard, and when you need an extra pail, switch them out, as needed.

Just tape the plastic-sticker-coated cardboard to the pails corresponding with what you’re trying to throw away. Use the blank side to hide your pail’s sticker and use for household waste, or use the sticker side to re-assign a pail to recyclables.

Now you have both covers for the pails that indicate they’re your two kinds of recyclables, but also covers for pails in case you need an additional one of each.

Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch open a new front in the Adams administration’s war on rats, launching a plan to containerize waste at approximately 95 percent of residential properties across the five boroughs. City Hall. Wednesday, October 11, 2023. Image Credit – Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch make two major announcements that will help get all of New York City’s trash off the streets and into secure, rodent-resistant containers, once and for all. DSNY Garage, Corner of Spring Street & Washington Street. Thursday, February 1, 2024. Image Credit – Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Banner Image:  Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch make two major announcements that will help get all of New York City’s trash off the streets and into secure, rodent-resistant containers, once and for all. DSNY Garage, Corner of Spring Street & Washington Street. Thursday, February 1, 2024. Image Credit – Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.