New York City has launched its long-awaited “Trash Revolution” initiative in select Manhattan neighborhoods, where residential trash collection will be moved from private property to curbside storage containers. The program aims to reduce litter and vermin on streets, bringing the city in line with global best practices.
As of today, all residents in Community Board 9, which covers Hamilton Heights, Manhattanville, and Morningside Heights, will have stationary trash containers in their curbside lanes instead of private property. The new system is expected to reduce the number of stinky bags on sidewalks by nearly half, thanks to larger capacity bins that can store up to 25 full-size rubbish bags each.
The city has deployed 16 new side-loading trucks and over 1,100 Empire Bins to support the initiative, which will replace manual refuse collection methods. The new system also reduces the risk of disease transmission associated with lifting heavy trash bags, making it a safer option for sanitation workers.
Mayor Adams hailed the program as a major step forward in keeping New York City clean, saying “it’s a small price to pay” for cleaner streets and reduced vermin. However, critics argue that the city still has work to do to address its waste management challenges, particularly regarding recycling and organics.
Residents have praised the new system, citing reduced strain on workers hauling heavy bags and improved cleanliness. Motorists have also shown no complaints about the new bins, as residents have grown accustomed to the agency’s pilot programs in recent years.
Source: https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/06/02/the-big-lift-city-starts-containerized-collection-with-mechanical-trucks-uptown