New York City Mayor Eric Adams and officials from the Department of Sanitation on Tuesday announced the expansion of the city’s new trash disposal program to Brooklyn, with Fort Greene and Clinton Hill schools and residential buildings set to receive on-street trash containers called Empire Bins.
Started in West Harlem in June, the trash containerization effort is the city's attempt to keep the sidewalks clean, clear corners and for New Yorkers to deal with fewer rats.
The mayor said schools in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill will receive the Empire Bins this fall, and the rollout would eventually expand to Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, the Fulton Ferry area, DUMBO, Vinegar Hill and the Brooklyn Navy Yard next year.
The bins must be used by all schools and residential buildings with more than 30 units. Buildings with 10 to 30 units will have the option to use the Empire Bin or the smaller wheelie bins, the mayor said.
"These are more than just better bins," the mayor said. "They're part of a new system that will improve the modernized trash collection of our city."
The bins will be picked up ny a new, automated side-loading trucks.
DSNY Acting Commissioner Javier Lojan said the bins are sturdy, rodent resistant and locked. Only a building manager will be able to open it with a card key.
The city will begin reaching out to schools and area building owners on Wednesday, Lojan said.
"Our teams will be on the ground, knocking on doors, speaking to property owners and building managers to let them know that the era of black bags is coming to an end here," he added.
