NYC Plans Major Trash System Overhaul to Curb Mounting Garbage Crisis
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New York City has a massive trash problem, with piles of garbage bags on streets and sidewalks that attract rats and block pedestrian traffic. The city collects trash in an antiquated, inefficient way compared to other major cities.
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The idiosyncrasies of NYC's urban design, like a lack of alleys, free street parking, and variable building densities, have contributed to the trash dilemma over many decades.
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The Sanitation Department plans to "containerize" trash by moving it from sidewalk piles into wheelie bins and locked street containers picked up by specialized trucks. This will take up some parking spaces.
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There are complex tradeoffs around using wheelie bins versus street containers for different types of buildings across a highly variable cityscape. The pilot program starts in 2025.
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The goal is to reduce rat populations, injuries to sanitation workers, truck idling times, and more. But the plan requires changes to longstanding policies and ingrained habits around New York City trash.