Starting Friday, March 1, ALL New York City Businesses Must Put Trash in Lidded Bins!

February 29, 2024

The New York City Department of Sanitation is reminding all City businesses that starting tomorrow, Friday, March 1, they are required to use a lidded bin when placing their trash at the curb for collection.

This rule is the next phase in the City's Trash Revolution, continuing the Adams administration's work of moving towards full containerization of trash; food-related and chain businesses have been required to use lidded trash bins since last fall. Additionally, rules requiring some residences to use lidded containers for their trash will take effect later this year.

Trash bags left on the sidewalk can easily break, leaking food waste and attracting rats. Placing trash into rigid, lidded containers reduces odors and vermin and keeps streets and sidewalks cleaner.

There will be a one-month warning period. Later, businesses found to be in violation of the trash container rules will be subject to fines, starting at $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, and $200 for all subsequent offenses. This requirement does not apply to recyclables or to businesses that have waste collected from a loading dock.

In an effort to educate businesses on their new responsibilities, the Department sent mailers to all covered establishments. Additionally, the rules were featured prominently on the Department's social media accounts and Sanitation personnel held info sessions and spoke at community meetings. Businesses can register for an info session in multiple languages, and get additional details on the rules at nyc.gov/UseBins.

Businesses have substantial flexibility on the type and location of containers they utilize, provided they have a lid and secure sides that keep rats out. Containers may be stored either inside or within three feet of the property line.

Between the commercial containerization effort and sweeping new residential rules, 70% of the city's trash is headed into containers. By moving the black bags off the streets and into sealed, rodent-proof receptacles, we are reclaiming public spaces, cutting off the 24-hour rat buffet, and improving quality of life for all New Yorkers. 

Information about the historic decline in rat sightings that occurred after these rules began to take effect can be seen here.