New York City Council Passes Legislation to Ensure Trash Revolution Continues Under New Mayor
The New York City Council has passed a bill requiring all buildings with 31 or more units to use on-street bins for residential waste disposal, forcing the new mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to complete the contentious phase of his predecessor's "war on rats" policy. The legislation, which was championed by Councilmember Shaun Abreu and requires the city to install large trash bins throughout all five boroughs by 2032, is part of a broader effort to reduce rat sightings in the city.
The on-street bins, known as the "Empire Bins," have already been introduced in Upper Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, where residents report a significant reduction in rat sightings. The large plastic containers are serviced by specialized side-loading garbage trucks that can only be opened by building supers and sanitation workers.
The bill's passage follows months of protracted fights over parking and logistical concerns about the rollout of the on-street bins. However, Councilmember Abreu hailed the legislation as a major victory, praising Mayor Eric Adams' leadership and former Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch for their efforts in implementing the policy.
Mayor-elect Mamdani has expressed support for the policy, even going so far as to suggest expanding the use of on-street bins to include recycling. The city's sanitation department says that the new legislation authorizes them to charge landlords a fee of $55 per apartment to cover the cost of installing the bins, although there are exemptions.
As part of the environmental review process, buildings with loading docks will be exempt from using the on-street bins. However, sanitation officials say that once the process is complete, it can "ramp up in speed" and become a more comprehensive effort to reduce waste and promote sustainability throughout the city.
The New York City Council has passed a bill requiring all buildings with 31 or more units to use on-street bins for residential waste disposal, forcing the new mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to complete the contentious phase of his predecessor's "war on rats" policy. The legislation, which was championed by Councilmember Shaun Abreu and requires the city to install large trash bins throughout all five boroughs by 2032, is part of a broader effort to reduce rat sightings in the city.
The on-street bins, known as the "Empire Bins," have already been introduced in Upper Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, where residents report a significant reduction in rat sightings. The large plastic containers are serviced by specialized side-loading garbage trucks that can only be opened by building supers and sanitation workers.
The bill's passage follows months of protracted fights over parking and logistical concerns about the rollout of the on-street bins. However, Councilmember Abreu hailed the legislation as a major victory, praising Mayor Eric Adams' leadership and former Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch for their efforts in implementing the policy.
Mayor-elect Mamdani has expressed support for the policy, even going so far as to suggest expanding the use of on-street bins to include recycling. The city's sanitation department says that the new legislation authorizes them to charge landlords a fee of $55 per apartment to cover the cost of installing the bins, although there are exemptions.
As part of the environmental review process, buildings with loading docks will be exempt from using the on-street bins. However, sanitation officials say that once the process is complete, it can "ramp up in speed" and become a more comprehensive effort to reduce waste and promote sustainability throughout the city.
just thinking about all those rats running around nyc makes me wanna jump on a plane to cali already lol anyway, imo its kinda crazy how much trash reduction has been accomplished in nyc under mayor adams. like i was complaining about rats before too but now i can actually see the progress being made 
think its a good start, reducing rat sightings is real 
gotta be some logistics to figure out, but overall feel like its gonna make the city a cleaner place 
! And can you blame him? Those rats are like the villain in Spider-Man, always causing trouble and needing to be taken down. I'm all for it 
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Anyway, it's about time NYC gets its act together and starts taking care of its waste management. 2032 can't come soon enough!
I'm low-key loving this new law about those Empire Bins!!! Like, finally, NYC is taking steps towards reducing rat sightings (and let's be real, who doesn't want to avoid getting peed on by a rat? 
) It's so smart of Councilmember Abreu and Mayor Adams' team for making sure the new mayor-elect Mamdani follows through on the predecessor's policy. And $55 an apartment isn't too shabby, considering it's better than those tiny trash cans we used to have 
! Finally, we're gonna tackle those pesky rat sightings head-on 
But seriously, it's about time our city took waste management seriously. The fact that residents in Upper Manhattan and Brooklyn are already reporting fewer rats is awesome 
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. I just hope they can get it together with the logistics and parking concerns 
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! I can understand why people were hesitant about the logistics too...I've driven through Upper Manhattan and seen those Empire Bins already, and yeah, it's a game-changer - less rats everywhere is a good thing 
. Can't they just make it a city-wide initiative or something? 
. And $55 per apartment? That's a small fortune! How is that gonna work? Especially for low-income families who are already struggling 
? still, if it means less rats and more recycling, i'm all for it 
. btw, can we talk about how the layout of those side-loading garbage trucks is SO efficient 
! Those rats are like, literally taking over the city 
! The Empire Bins are pretty cool too 
, I'm all for it 
) we'll be growing once we reduce waste and promote recycling...anyway cant wait to see this policy in action! 
about this trash revolution 
and I couldn't be more stoked 
! The Empire Bins are a genius idea 
, who wouldn't want to see fewer rats scurrying around the city? 
anywayz, i think its cool that NYC is takin steps 2 tackle rat problem but like... $55 per apt? thats a lil steep right? 