Efforts to More Securely Contain & Remove NYC Trash Take a Big Step Forward

A joint announcement in early February by Mayor Adams and the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) delivered some welcome news on the “city’s war on trash.” The prototype of a new automated, side-loading garbage truck was unveiled, and along with a new data-driven containerization strategy, represent the “largest single turning point in the ongoing effort to make New York City the cleanest major city in the United States” according to the press release from the mayor’s office. The prototype of the new truck, which took place in Torino, Italy and in both Hicksville and Brooklyn, New York, was delivered four years ahead of schedule; and will allow for substantially faster collection than manual pick-up. In addition, a new strategy for determining the type and size of containers to be used based on building size was outlined by Mayor Adams. While residential buildings with 30-unit or less will have some flexibility in container-type options, buildings with more than 30-units will be “required to use stationary, on-street containers for their trash, serviced by the new automated side-loading trucks.” Manhattan Community Board 9, which encompasses the West Harlem neighborhoods of Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, and Hamilton Heights will be the first 100% containerized trashed district with installation of new containers slated to begin in the spring of 2025. Currently home to a successful pilot program spanning 10 residential blocks and at 14 schools, rat sighting complaints within Manhattan’s CB 9 district lowered 68% year-over-year. A timeline and process for broader expansion of the program will be determined based upon learnings from the pilot district.

Source:    https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/089-24/mayor-adams-new-anti-trash-technology-launches-next-phase-city-s-war-trash#/0