As of April 1, 2023, the City of New York is taking steps to reduce the piles of bags on the curb by changing the waste setout times. New rules for setting out trash, recycling, and curbside composting go into effect on April 1, 2023. Below is a summary of those rules and how they will impact residences and businesses.
Residential Rules
Residential buildings have three options (one of which requires an opt-in by buildings in the month of January):
· Place trash out after 6:00 PM in a container with a secure lid,
· Place trash out after 8:00 PM if putting bags directly on the curb, or
· If a building has nine or more residential units, the property owner may opt into a 4:00 – 7:00 AM set-out window instead. PLEASE NOTE: The opt-in period runs each year for the month of January, which allows DSNY to design quick and efficient routes that take effect on April 1 each year. (nyc.gov/multiunitsetout).
Commercial Rules
Businesses that place the waste at the curb* for collection have two options:
- If using a container with a secure lid, place the waste at the curb 1 hour before closing, or
- If putting bags directly on the curb, place waste out after 8:00 PM
Bundled cardboard may go next to the containers or bags
* This does not apply to businesses that have waste collected from a loading dock.
For both residential properties and businesses, setting out too early could result in fines of $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, and $200 for third and subsequent offenses within a 12-month period. There will not be a grace period or warning period—enforcement begins April 1, 2023.
