BROOKLYN, N.Y. (VINnews) — New York City homeowners will not face fines for failing to comply with the city’s new trash bin requirement until at least September, following concerns about widespread shortages of the mandated containers.
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Councilman Simcha Felder said the Department of Sanitation has agreed to issue warnings rather than summonses through Sept. 7 for owners of one-to-nine-unit residential properties who have not yet obtained the city’s official trash bins. The city also extended the deadline for residents to apply for reimbursement for bin purchases until the same date.
The decision came after Felder and a bipartisan group of 22 City Council members urged Mayor Eric Adams’ administration to delay enforcement, arguing that many residents have been unable to obtain the required bins despite months of trying.
“New Yorkers are understandably frustrated after spending months trying to purchase these bins, only to encounter limited availability, delays, and dead ends,” Felder said. He praised Sanitation Commissioner Gregory Anderson for recognizing that residents should not be penalized for failing to purchase bins that remain difficult to obtain.
According to Felder, homeowners have reported challenges locating the bins through retailers and delivery services, problems that were compounded after the original manufacturer left the New York market last year.
The city’s bin requirement currently applies only to household trash and does not extend to recycling or compost collection, a distinction that some residents have found confusing.
Supporters of the delay note that residents have already been required to place trash in containers with secure lids since November 2024, a measure intended to help reduce rodent activity and keep garbage contained.
Felder said the city should focus on helping residents comply rather than imposing penalties while supply issues persist. He also said he would seek another extension if shortages have not been resolved by the September deadline.
The request for a moratorium was backed by more than 20 council members from across the city, reflecting bipartisan concern over the rollout of the new requirement.
Suspend it forever, it’s a stupid law that won’t work only purpose is to issue summonses
This councilman is a true Kiddush HASHEM, earning respect from all.
The NYC Dept. of Sanitation, was never among my favorite city agencies. While it is true that it performs a vital service, some of their employees leave a lot to be desired. When I lived in Brooklyn, they had a habit of ringing people’s doorbells, around the holidays, looking for a cash handout. It was a lot of chutzpah for them to have done so, as it was inappropriate, since the cops and firefighters were not tipped. In any event, the Sanitation Commissioner issued a ruling, that if he a caught anyone doing that, they would be fired. Their practice was stopped, right after that. I don’t know if that practice was ever reinstated years alter. Then, regarding the other garbage barrels which were used at that time, the Sanitation workers had a habit of taking the garbage covers off, and throwing them all over the sidewalk, where people had to walk. When I confronted them about that, one of them stated “Don’t worry about it”, as if to say mind your own business. It wasn’t until I complained in writing, that they stopped doing that. Then, there was the time one winter that it was very cold, with snow on the ground, and the garbage was piled up. In one of our barrels, were the remains from a turkey dinner that we had, including the bones. When the Sanitation workers finally came, and picked up one of our barrels, because of the extreme cold, the plastic barrel cracked in two, and all of the turkey bones fell into the snow. I’ll never forget how angry that Sanitation worker was, as he had to pick up every single turkey bone. The nasty look that he directed to our home, stands fresh in my mind. These are the same characters who wanted money during the holidays. What chutzpah!
Rather than persecute homeowners NYC should enforce existing laws pertaining to trash from Commercial establishments like pizza stores.
I was told by my trash collector that it’s not necessary to have an “official” NYC trash bin, as long as you have a trash bin that has a cover that closes tightly.
Is this true?
Mount everest outside all the schools is more of the issue than a private house
NYC is so dirty that at this point nothing will help