New Yorkers will have to start containing their curbside trash on Tuesday, per NYC’s new mandatory garbage rule that aims to eliminate eyesores of black plastic bags that pile up on city streets.
The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will require all properties with one to nine residential units, including single-family homes, to use garbage pails that are 55 gallons or less, with secure lids, for setting out trash starting Nov. 12.
Beginning Jan. 2, 2025, DSNY will impose fines starting at $50 for failure to comply with the mandate.
Joshua Goodman, DSNY deputy commissioner of public affairs and customer experience, said the new garbage set-out system limits rat activity and keeps streets cleaner. He added that since some New Yorkers have already started covering their trash, there has been a noticeable improvement in street cleanliness.
“It’s working, and rat sightings are down,” he said.
How must New Yorkers set out their garbage now?
New York property owners must now put household trash into leak-proof bins with secure, tightly fitted lids.
The bins should be at most 55 gallons, according to DSNY.
While New Yorkers can use any bin that fits this criterion, for now, the city plans to shake things up again starting June 2026. All property owners will be required to purchase the official NYC Bin from the city.
The bin, available for purchase at www.bins.nyc, costs $45 for the 35-gallon size and $53 for the 45-gallon size.
Per an arrangement with Home Depot, the bins recently became for sale at all 22 of the retailer’s NYC stores. The price is the same as purchasing it through the city.
Goodman said DSNY is “excited” about the partnership with Home Depot as it adds a retail option for New Yorkers to buy a bin.
“Getting a major retailer to say, ‘Yes, we will offer this product with no markup at all,’ is a huge deal, Goodman said. “The price is exactly the same, down to the cent.”
According to Goodman, the Home Depot contract is with Otto, the bin manufacturer, not DSNY.
“DSNY had to approve that, and we think it’s great. Our number-one requirement was it must be the exact same price,” he said.
The downside is that Home Depot will not deliver the bins. However, customers who would like to have their bins delivered should order through bins.nyc, Goodman said.
“This is to make it easier for New Yorkers to get it. To add a retail option,” he said, adding that Home Depot will continually restock the bins when they sell out.
Skepticism around covering garbage and the NYC bin
The overhaul comes just a month after DSNY implemented mandatory composting in NYC. New Yorkers on social media expressed concern and frustration at yet another city mandate coming their way.
“This needs to be free, we pay enough taxes already,” New Yorker Henrry Ng Chang said. “They can give EBT, free housing and Medicaid for illegal immigrants, billions of dollars every month, and citizens can’t get a simple garbage bin?”
Another New Yorker had similar thoughts.
“They shouldn’t have to be purchased,” he said. Enough of us are living paycheck to paycheck as it is.”
Goodman said DSNY conducted a competitive RFP that resulted in what he said is the least-expensive bin available.
“Keeping the price of these bins down was incredibly important to us,” Goodman said. “If you look at the Home Depot site and compare it to other bins, it’s a third to half the cost. It is by far the cheapest bin of its quality available.”
Preventing line-of-duty injury
About 50% of line-of-duty injuries at DSNY are strains and sprains from throwing garbage bags, Goodman said,
DSNY recently started retrofitting its sanitation trucks with mechanical tippers on the back to improve safety and efficiency. A machine on the truck will attach itself to the NYC bin, lift it and dump the contents.
“The bins all have to be the same to work with the tipper,” Goodman said.
