New York City has implemented a new regulation starting from November 12th last year to prevent garbage bags from piling up on the streets, attracting rats. Residents are now required to dispose of their garbage in covered bins before placing them on the curb for collection by the garbage truck. Initially, no fines were imposed during the implementation phase. However, the grace period ended on January 2nd (Thursday), and starting from today, violators will face fines of up to $200.
According to the new regulation, properties with 1 to 9 residential units, including single-family homes, must use garbage bins with a capacity of 55 gallons or less and equipped with a secure lid for garbage disposal before placing them on the curb for collection. The grace period for this regulation ended on January 2nd, and enforcement with fines ranging from $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense, and $200 for subsequent violations, officially began on January 3rd.
Starting from June 2026, the regulations will be further tightened, requiring all property owners to purchase the official “NYC Bin” for garbage disposal to avoid facing fines for non-compliance.
The “NYC Bin” can be purchased on the official website www.bins.nyc, with a 35-gallon capacity bin priced at $45 and a 45-gallon capacity bin priced at $53. Additionally, they can also be purchased at Home Depot stores. To help the public understand the new regulations, the Department of Sanitation will be hosting nine virtual meetings starting from January 9th. Those interested can register on the Department of Sanitation’s website: https://tinyurl.com/52x36wzx
According to Joshua Goodman, the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Sanitation, the new garbage collection regulations will help reduce rat infestations and maintain clean streets. Some residents have already started using the new style garbage bins, leading to a noticeable improvement in street cleanliness.
In addition to the new garbage bin regulations, New York City has been enforcing a mandatory composting program since October 6th, 2023. This program requires all compostable waste to be placed in the same 55-gallon or smaller bins with a secure lid and permits the use of transparent plastic bags, paper bags, or compostable bags to line the bins for cleanliness.