DSNY Official Notice: Businesses Must Use Containerization

January 31, 2024

Starting March 1st, 2024, ALL food-related and chain businesses MUST set out trash in bins with secure lids.

As part of our commitment to keeping our streets clean, the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is implementing new rules to reduce the number of black bags that line city streets. We began the process in April 2023, when we changed the waste setout times for residents and businesses — reducing the time trash, recycling, and curbside composting will sit on sidewalks.

Schedule

As of August 1, 2023, ALL food-related businesses in NYC must use bins with secure lids when setting out trash for collection.
As of September 5, 2023, ALL chain stores with five or more locations in NYC must use bins with secure lids when setting out trash for collection.
Starting March 1, 2024, ALL businesses in NYC must use bins with secure lids when setting out trash for collection.

Who is affected

ALL food-related businesses are affected and ALL businesses with five or more NYC locations, regardless of what is sold.

This includes catering, food manufacturing, food service, and food preparation businesses, food wholesalers, and retail food stores. It also includes businesses under the same name, under common ownership, or businesses pursuant to a franchise agreement with the same franchisor. NOTE: Restaurants, grocery stores, delis, bodegas, caterers, and other businesses that sell or handle food MUST comply.

Starting March 1, 2024, ALL businesses of any size MUST set out waste in a bin with a secure lid. This applies to ALL businesses that set out waste on the curb. This does not apply to businesses that have waste collected from a loading dock.

What types of waste

All trash, food, and food-soiled paper must be in a bin with a secure lid when set out at the curb for collection. The requirement does not apply to recyclables (metal, glass, plastic, or clean paper and cardboard).

This rule does not require the separation of trash from food or food-soiled paper — it only the requires that these materials are placed in bins with secure lids for collection.

NOTE: Businesses required to source-separate organics under Local Law 146 of 2013 must continue to do so by placing their food waste in a separate bin with a secure lid. Trash must be set out in a separate bin from food and food-soiled paper. Find out if commercial organics requirements apply to you.

When to set out

ALL business:

If using bins with secure lids, place at the curb up to 1 hour before closing.
If using bags, place at the curb after 8:00 PM.

Food-related and chain businesses:

Trash, food, and food-soiled paper in bins with secure lids can be set out up to 1 hour before closing. You may also use bins for recycling, but it is not required.
Recycling in bags can be set out after 8:00 PM.

How to store bins

Containers should be stored inside or in a rear yard if possible when not set out for collection. If space is not available, bins can be stored within three (3) feet of the building line. Bins must be maintained in a neat and orderly manner and always allow for a clear path of pedestrian travel on the sidewalk.

Info Sessions

Join a virtual info session to learn more about Commercial Containerization.