Residential Waste Containerization

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is planning to containerize all residential trash beginning fall 2024.

The goal is to remove black trash bags from the City’s streets, reclaim public spaces, and improve quality of life for all New Yorkers.

Learn more about the residential trash containerization program.

Buildings with 1-9 Residential Units

Beginning November 12, 2024, all New York City properties with 1-9 residential units must use a bin (55 gallons or less) with a secure lid for trash.

Beginning June 2026, all properties with 1-9 residential units will be required to use the official NYC Bin for trash set out.

These new rules also apply to special-use buildings receiving DSNY collection – including City agencies, nonprofits, houses of worship, and professional offices in residential buildings.

Learn how to purchase official NYC Bins on the Trash, Recycling, and Compost Bins page.

Buildings with 10+ Residential Units

DSNY is working on a plan to containerize trash in residential buildings of 10 or more units.

Buildings with 10 to 30 units will be able to choose between stationary on-street containers and smaller wheelie bins.

Buildings with 31 or more residential units will be required to use stationary, on-street containers for their trash, serviced by DSNY's new automated side-loading garbage trucks. On-street containers will be assigned to a specific building, solely for residents of that building.

The first district with these containers will be Manhattan Community Board 9, beginning Spring 2025, with further expansion pending environmental review.

DSNY is currently running a residential trash containerization pilot program in Hamilton Heights to get trash off the street and into bins.

This program provides shared curbside bins for residents to dispose their trash. Trash is collected six days a week. Bins are monitored and cleaned on a regular basis.

Pilot Area and Timeline

Currently, the pilot area is only on 12 blocks in Hamilton Heights. The exact area includes 142 Street to 144 Street and 146 Street to 153 Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue (including Hamilton Place).

As of August 14, 2023 trash collection on these 12 blocks in the pilot area increased to six days a week (Monday through Saturday).

On September 11, 2023, DSNY installed shared bins in the pilot area, except on 142 Street.

Using the Bins

Residents should place their bagged trash into the bins daily as needed, and make sure the lid closes. These shared bins are for residential trash only, not recycling.

Recycling Service

There is no change to recycling service in the pilot area. Recycling will still be collected on Fridays. Residents must still set out recycling on the curb Thursdays after 8 PM if using bags or after 6 PM if using an individual bin with a secure lid.

Large Items

Items that are too big to fit in the bin should be placed in front of the building for collection.

Learn more about the residential trash containerization pilot program.

Residential Waste Containerization

Hamilton Heights Trash Containerization Pilot