Context:

New York City is initiating a 'trash revolution' by introducing large Empire Bins for trash collection in West Harlem's residential buildings, aiming to expand citywide. This new system, led by Mayor Eric Adams, replaces the traditional curbside trash bags with European-style bins, significantly reducing rat sightings and enhancing sanitation workers' safety. Despite facing ridicule and challenges such as double-parked cars and the removal of parking spots, the initiative is seen as a pivotal achievement of Adams's term, with potential plans for broader implementation. The program requires significant investment in bins and trucks and has sparked mixed reactions, with some residents criticizing the visual impact and loss of parking, while others see the benefits in improved sanitation. As the mayoral election approaches, candidates are debating the program's future, with some advocating for further expansion and enhancements to include recycling containerization.

Dive Deeper:

• In West Harlem, large residential buildings are now mandated to use 800-gallon Empire Bins, replacing piles of curbside trash bags with new bins serviced by side-loading garbage trucks. This change, part of a broader citywide plan, aims to address sanitation concerns and improve urban hygiene.

• The introduction of these bins is a significant shift in New York City's approach to waste management, with Mayor Eric Adams promoting it as a key achievement, particularly due to a noticeable reduction in rat sightings. The initiative has been supported by former sanitation commissioner Jessica Tisch and current acting commissioner Javier Lojan.

• Despite the program's potential benefits, it has faced criticism from residents due to the removal of hundreds of parking spaces to accommodate the bins and the visual impact they have on the streetscape. Shaun Abreu, a local city council member, acknowledges initial resistance but notes reduced complaints as benefits become apparent.

• The rollout of the bins highlights challenges such as double-parked cars obstructing the bins and the logistical complexity of scaling the program citywide. This expansion is expected to be costly, requiring significant investment in bins and trucks, and the removal of over 50,000 parking spots.

• Candidates in the upcoming mayoral election are divided on the program's future, with some, like Andrew Cuomo and Brad Lander, supporting its expansion, while others call for additional measures like incorporating recycling containerization. Public education on the program's benefits is also seen as a necessary component of successful implementation.