Trash Containerization Is Working- Keeps Rats Out Humanely: DSNY
Trash Containerization Is Working- Keeps Rats Out Humanely: DSNY
Back in February, Westerleigh residents received summonses for the first time for improperly putting out their trash, whether it was using pails without lids or black bags of trash next to their pails, first time fines were $50. Another new rule is that all garden and lawn refuse must be put in clear bags or in those specialty paper bags for collection for compost collection. As readers may remember, this City recently opened a composting facility that can handle a great deal of waste. The new compost rules have taken effect, but the fines aren’t yet active for this particular aspect of the new laws. Part of the aim is to reduce or eliminate rats, while the second is to reduce the city’s contribution to landfills by sustainably converting it into compost for residents and city run properties. This past weekend, the Mayor’s op-ed was about this very issue. The following was from the DSNY in regards to the rules for which people were given fines for not following:
The rule you mentioned is part of the Adams administration’s ongoing and successful effort to get trash off the streets of New York City once and for all.
For decades, New Yorkers have become accustomed to seeing trash bags on their streets, but this administration refuses to accept the status quo, and residents agree: The overwhelming passage of Proposition 2 last November shows that New Yorkers are fed up with black trash bags on the street.
We first announced this rule last July: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/news/24-101/mayor-ad
And, we announced again when this took effect in November: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/news/24-027/trash-ci
Both of these announcements were covered in every major news outlet — including many articles in the Staten Island Advance [and the Staten Islander] — and every television station in the New York City area. We sent mailers to all affected residents and posted this across multiple social media channels.
Between Nov. 12 and Jan. 2, we issued 70,000 warnings for noncompliance. Since Jan. 2, we have been issuing summonses for those not in compliance with this rule – and we will continue to do so to ensure cleaner streets and neighborhoods.
These bins are working: in December, the first full month of this rule, rat sightings reported citywide fell 23% compared to the year before, and they were down again 24% in January.
We didn’t invent these bins – they are used all over the world, because they work to stop rats and other animals – and the numbers prove they’re working here.
Finally, to answer your question [about what’s acceptable other than the official pails], any lid that snaps or latches is considered a secure lid. The idea is to keep smells in, and rodents, raccoons, and other animals out.
Banner Image: New Recycling Bins in Downtown Manhattan. Image Credit – DSNY
NYC Department of Sanitation
The NYC Department of Sanitation is the world’s largest sanitation department. DSNY collects more than 10,500 tons of residential and institutional garbage and 1,760 tons of the recyclables – each day. While efficiently managing solid waste and clearing litter or snow from 6,300 miles of streets, the Department is also a leader in environmentalism — committing to sending zero waste to landfills.
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