 "New York City spent $1.6 million on a study for its 'Trash Revolution': Will it be worth it?")
NYC mayor Eric Adams and sanitation commissioner Jessica Tisch unveiled New York City’s first official trash bin on Monday (July 8). The event, held at Gracie Mansion (NYC mayor’s official residence), showcased the new NYC Bin—a wheeled container with a secure latching lid, designed to replace the traditional loose trash bags that have long cluttered the city’s sidewalks.
“Today, we are tossing even more black bags into the dustbin of history and taking the next step forward in our ‘Trash Revolution,’” Adams proudly declared. The goal is to containerise approximately 70 per cent of the city’s annual 14 billion pounds of trash, a move expected to improve public spaces and reduce rat infestations.
Time to Get (EVEN MORE) Stuff Clean! Join us right now in Manhattan as we kick off the next phase in our trash revolution: https://t.co/AEDRQNXmUT
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) July 8, 2024
Where is the controversy?
The announcement, however, sparked controversy over the $1.6 million paid to consulting firm McKinsey & Company for their role in the project. Originally, the contract had a maximum value of $4 million in 2022, but the consultancy was ultimately paid $1.6 million to develop a citywide pilot program and provide recommendations on trash management.
Social media reacted to the news with shock, as well as humour, with many users wondering why it took NYC decades to realise that instead of throwing its trash in bags on the streets, it could put the bags in containers. One user posted on X regarding the money spent on the project:
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe next time you have imposter syndrome at work, just remember: pic.twitter.com/8QzqgNycQV
— Chris Bakke (@ChrisJBakke) July 10, 2024
Local councilwoman Sandy Nurse, former chair of the committee on sanitation and solid waste management, questioned the necessity of spending millions on outside consultants. “There was a body of work done… [with] a lot of these ideas that is sitting there, and could easily be looked at again,” she told New York-based website Gothamist back in 2022
“Hiring McKinsey seems a little unnecessary at best. The city should be developing this kind of expertise in-house, at city agencies.”
How will the move be implemented?
Starting in November 2024, all buildings with one to nine residential units will be required to use these official NYC Bins. The bins are priced below $50 for the most common size, making them affordable for most property owners. The new rules will be enforced with fines ranging from $50 for a first offense to $200 for subsequent offenses.
Effective June 1, 2026, these buildings will be required to use the official NYC Bin to facilitate faster, safer, and cleaner mechanised collection with rear-loading “tipper” garbage trucks.
The trash revolution requires all of us! Hate the leaky smelly summer trash? Get a new bin & help us #getstuffdone,
— Meera Joshi (@MeeraCJoshi) July 8, 2024
1-9 unit building containerization mandates get us to 70% of the city’s total trash off our streets! https://t.co/zAYUSleAUS
NYC deputy mayor for operations Meera Joshi highlighted the significance of this step: “NYC-branded wheeled containers, custom designed to work with our trucks, are the key to keeping our most precious real estate — New York City sidewalks — clear.”
How did the “Trash Revolution” begin?
The “Trash Revolution” began in October 2022 with changes to trash set-out times, moving from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM to reduce the time trash sits on the streets. This change, along with the introduction of containerised collection at midnight in high-density areas, marked the first major shift in the city’s approach to waste management.
In August 2023, containerisation requirements extended to all food-related businesses, and by September, commercial containerisation rules covered chain businesses with five or more locations. March 1, 2024, saw all businesses in the city mandated to use secure bins for their trash.
Once this newest change goes into effect this fall, we'll have containerized 70% of our city's 14 BILLION annual pounds of trash in just TWO years.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) July 8, 2024
And that's how we will win the war on rats in our city.https://t.co/ITtT1lRhtv pic.twitter.com/6yYhVPa6Gw
The final phase will commence in the spring of 2025, with the installation of stationary on-street containers in Manhattan Community Board 9. This area will serve as the first full-district containerisation pilot, supported by new automated side-loading trucks.
Will the “revolution” solve NYC’s trash & rat problem?
While the implementation of these new trash bins is a significant step forward, questions remain about the broader impact on waste reduction and environmental sustainability.
“The NYC Bin adds another instrumental tool in New York City’s rat mitigation toolkit,” said Kathleen Corradi, Director of Citywide Rodent Mitigation. However, the ultimate goal is not just to manage trash more effectively but to reduce waste production altogether.
Critics argue that the $1.6 million spent on consulting fees could have been better utilised. However, the administration maintains that the investment will pay off in the form of cleaner streets and fewer rat sightings. “New Yorkers can hold their heads high instead of holding their noses,” said BJ Jones, Executive Director of “New” New York.
Even though New York City’s “Trash Revolution” is meant to represent a significant shift in how the city handles its waste, it remains to be seen how well New Yorkers adapt to the official NYC Bin.
With inputs from agencies
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