Read the report here

This report summarizes our recommendations for commercial waste containerization, in conjunction with the rollout of NYC’s Commercial Waste Zones, and with particular focus on supporting small businesses. We developed this report through conversations with the Department of Sanitation, the Department of Transportation, waste haulers, Business Improvement Districts, businesses, public realm advocates, and waste advisors to understand their priorities and work towards the proposal’s feasibility and adoption. This work was supported by The ABNY Foundation.

Since the commercial bin mandate in March 2024, we’ve witnessed an explosion of bins congesting sidewalks across the city. To curb the chaos, we recommend consolidating waste bins on commercial corridors in the roadway, rather than on sidewalks. Such an arrangement would enable business owners to maintain cleaner storefronts and better separate recycling and compostable waste, improve the public realm, ease pick-up from haulers, and improve waste diversion in Commercial Waste Zones.