New York City introduced the official “NYC Bins” on July 8th, and announced that starting from November 12th, all small residential buildings with 9 units and under must dispose of their garbage in covered bins. From June 1st, 2026, the use of official garbage bins will be mandatory for all.
Mayor Adams and Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch made the announcement at the Gracie Mansion, emphasizing the initiative as the latest effort by the city to maintain cleanliness on the streets and reduce rodent issues by ensuring that 70% of the annual 14 billion pounds of garbage is securely contained.
The Department of Sanitation also released regulations stating that all small residential buildings with 1 to 9 units, as well as other special-purpose buildings where DSNY collects garbage, including government buildings, chapels, and professional offices within residential structures, must start using covered bins for garbage disposal from November 12th this year. Starting from June 1st, 2026, it will be compulsory for these buildings to use official garbage bins and compost bins, with recycling bins exempted. Residential buildings already using garbage bins have an 18-month grace period to switch to official bins, provided that the existing bins are under 55 gallons in capacity, have lids that can be securely sealed.
Failure to comply with the requirement to dispose of residential waste in covered bins will result in penalties starting from January 2nd next year, with a $50 fine for the first offense, $100 for the second offense, and $200 for subsequent violations.
Official garbage bins and recycling bins are available in two sizes: 35-gallon bins priced at $45.88 and 45-gallon bins priced at $53.01, while the compost bin is only available in a 21-gallon size priced at $43.47. The prices include processing and delivery charges. Orders placed before October 1st will be delivered by November 12th. To place orders, visit the website: https://www.bins.nyc/
In a series of policies introduced since Mayor Adams took office, New York City has implemented various measures, such as extending the time for roadside garbage bag stacking to after 8 pm since April last year. In March this year, all commercial garbage was required to be placed in covered bins, with the same regulations for residential garbage set to come into effect on November 12th. In the coming spring, fixed large communal dumpsters will be set up as pilot programs in the roadside of communities such as Hamilton Heights, Manhattanville, and Morningside Heights in Manhattan Community Board 9, to facilitate collection and disposal by new automated side-loading garbage trucks.