New York City Embraces Trash Cans, Saying Goodbye to Iconic Plastic Bag Piles
New Yorkers, long accustomed to tossing their refuse into plastic bags left on the curb, are entering a new era of waste management. After half a century of this distinctive practice, the city is mandating the use of covered trash bins, a move aimed at tackling overflowing streets, persistent vermin, and the city’s notorious reputation for grime.
The shift began in November, requiring smaller residential buildings to adopt the bins. Businesses made the switch earlier in the year. “I know this must sound absurd to anyone listening to this who lives pretty much in any other city in the world," acknowledged Jessica Tisch, the former sanitation commissioner who spearheaded the initiative. "But it is revolutionary by New York City’s standards because, for 50 years, we have placed all our trash directly on the curbs.”
For those accustomed to cleaner systems, the change is long overdue. "You see plastic bags open with the food just rotting and stinking and then it leaking out over the sidewalk and into the road," said John Midgley, a Brooklyn resident who has lived in cities with widespread bin usage. "Just the stink of it builds up, you know, week after week after week."
The impetus for this dramatic change stems from the city’s ongoing war against rats, notorious inhabitants of New York’s urban landscape. For years, plastic bags proved an easy target for these persistent rodents. Officials believe sealed bins with secure lids will serve as a more formidable barrier against these unwanted guests.
However, the transition hasn’t been without its challenges. Finding space for large bins in densely populated neighborhoods where yards and alleys are scarce presents a logistical hurdle. Landlords and homeowners now face the added responsibility of collecting and returning bins to the curb, a task that many find irritating and burdensome.
Caitlin Leffel, a Manhattan resident, expressed her frustration: "I know there are problems with the way this city has collected trash for years," she said. "But the way this program has been rolled out, it has not taken into account many of the nuances of living in New York City."
Building superintendents are also voicing their concerns, describing the added workload as disruptive. “It’s completely rearranged our lives," stated Dominick Romeo, founder of NYC Building Supers, a group representing building managers. "Folks are running around like crazy.”
Authorities are aware of these growing pains and are working to address them. Larger residential buildings will soon have designated street-side containers served by trucks equipped with automated side-loading arms, a technology already prevalent in many other countries.
"Some places, they’re not even using bags. They’re just putting their trash into the bins," observed Harry Nespoli, president of the union representing sanitation workers, highlighting the variability in compliance.
While the full benefits of the new system may take time to materialize, officials remain optimistic. "No one wants to live on a dirty block," Tisch insisted. "No one wants to walk past a heaping mound of trash and trash juice when they are leaving to go to work or they are walking their kids home from school.”
Come January, fines ranging from $50 to $200 will be imposed for non-compliance, underscoring the city’s commitment to this new approach.
As New York City embarks on this trash transformation, it joins a chorus of global metropolises embracing bin systems—a symbolic step towards a cleaner, more sanitary future. The jury is out on how smoothly the transition will unfold, but one thing is certain: New Yorkers are on the brink of a significant change to their daily routines, with a champion for cleaner streets and a cleaner city leading the charge.
Piles of trash line a sidewalk, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Sanitation workers collect trash, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
FILE – Garbage piles up on the roof of New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel during a strike by private garbage collectors, Dec. 4, 1981. (AP Photo/David Bookstaver, File)
A “person” walks next to the pile of trash, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
A sanitation worker collects trash, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
A “person” walks in front of trash bins, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
A sanitation worker throws trash to the sanitation truck, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)## World Today News: Expert Interview – Trashing Tradition: New York Embraces Bins
**World today News:** New York City’s centuries-old tradition of tossing trash bags onto the curb seems to be nearing its end. This monumental shift towards a bin system, aimed at boosting sanitation and curbing the city’s infamous rodent problem, is underway. We sat down wiht Dr. Sarah Hastings, a renowned urban planning and waste management expert from New York University, to discuss this bold move.
**World Today News:** Dr. Hastings,New York City has relied on the iconic plastic bag system for decades.What prompted this sudden shift towards bins?
**Dr. Hastings:** New York City’s reliance on plastic bags has long been a source of concern. Overflowing bags, vermin infestation, and unhygienic conditions have plagued the city for far too long.The new bin system, though seemingly a simple change, tackles these issues head-on. It signifies a commitment to creating a cleaner, more sustainable urban environment.
**World Today News:** While the aim is commendable, the transition hasn’t been without its critics. Residents and building superintendents have voiced concerns about the logistical challenges posed by bin storage and the added responsibilities they entail.
**Dr. Hastings:** These concerns are valid. new York City’s unique density presents specific challenges, and the roll-out of this new system might have overlooked some nuanced aspects. Adequate space for bin storage,especially in densely populated areas,is crucial,and the responsibility of managing these bins should be distributed equitably.
**World Today News:** what solutions can be explored to address these issues and ensure a smoother transition for residents?
**Dr. Hastings:** Of course. Firstly, the city needs to collaborate with local communities to identify suitable locations for bin storage, considering the unique characteristics of each neighborhood. Secondly, exploring innovative solutions like designated curbside collection points, particularly for larger residential buildings, could alleviate the burden on individual households. Lastly, clear dialogue and public education campaigns are crucial to ensure residents understand the benefits and underlying rationale behind this new system.
**World Today News:** looking ahead, what are the long-term implications of this change for New York City’s public health and environmental impact?
**Dr.Hastings:** I envision a cleaner,healthier,and more environmentally conscious new York City. By reducing open waste exposure, we can substantially decrease the rodent population, control unpleasant odor issues, and promote responsible waste disposal practices. This could lead to improved public health outcomes, a more attractive urban environment, and a lowered carbon footprint.
**World Today News:** what message would you have for New Yorkers navigating this sanitation transformation?
**Dr.Hastings:** Embrace the change!
While adapting to a new system can be challenging, the long-term benefits for our city are undeniable. This is not simply about trash disposal; it’s about reimagining New York City as a cleaner, more sustainable, and ultimately more livable metropolis for generations to come.
**World Today News:** Thank you, Dr. hastings, for sharing yoru valuable insights on this significant issue.
