On-Street Containerized Trash Pilot Program Launches in West Harlem
New York City’s on-street stationary trash container pilot program officially launched in West Harlem, making it the first neighborhood in North America to fully containerize trash. The project intended to further deter rats began its first full day of service on June 2nd for over 29,000 households according to the news release by the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), “marking a significant milestone in the Adams administration’s efforts to clean up city streets.” Approximately 1,100 on-street Empire Bin containers were installed at residential buildings with more than 30-units within Manhattan Community Board 9 (CB 9), which includes Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, and Hamilton Heights; and although buildings with 10 to 30 units had the option to use a smaller “wheelie bin,” roughly half of the buildings opted for the Empire Bin. The program follows in the footsteps of Europe, however in contrast to the continent’s standard of a trash bin being shared by an entire block, in New York City, each on-street bin will be assigned to a specific building. In February 2024 the prototype was unveiled for the new automated side-loading sanitation truck needed to service the on-street bins. Specifically developed in collaboration with designers in Italy, Hicksville, and Brooklyn, there are 16 in operation on the streets of West Harlem. Madrid-based Contenur is providing the bins that hold about 794 gallons of waste, or about 25 large 32-gallon trash bags, having been awarded a $7 million, 10-year contract by the DSNY in August 2024. As part of the contract, the DSNY will be able to “eventually expand Contenur’s work beyond the West Harlem pilot zone to cover the entire city.” Early response to the on-street bins has reportedly sparked complaints from some residents that the bins take up too many parking spaces, while double-parked cars block the side-loading trucks from accessing the bins. In the coming weeks and months, DSNY staff will begin analyzing the results and outcomes of the CB 9 pilot program to determine a timeline and process for further citywide expansion.