The Department of Sanitation's "trash containerization" plan would require all restaurants, bodegas and other food-related businesses to set out trash in containers instead of bags.
This proposal could apply to 40,000 businesses across the five boroughs.
"Everybody has to do it together because then it doesn't work," restaurant owner Josephine Dagostino said.
The proposal would work hand-in-hand with other city initiatives to increase the use of bins for waste to create a cleaner, more livable neighborhoods.
"I see this as New York City catching up and getting with the program," DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. "It's 2023 there's no reason that black bags full of rat food should be sitting on the curbs of the greatest city in the world."
Commercial waste is usually collected by private haulers some of which provide or sell bins to their customers. While most restaurant owners said they think it's a good idea, some question if it will fully address the problem.
"When you're dealing with Arthur Avenue there's very limited space as it is," said Mike Teitel, who owns a store on Arthur Avenue. "You have people walking, now they have to walk around bins, you know what I mean? It's going to be an inconvenience for people walking not for us."
This summer the city will kick off a pilot program for the containerization of residential garbage. A problem made a little more complex due to the space needed for the containers.
A public hearing on the proposed rule will be held June 22. Anyone can join the meeting or they can submit their comment on the NYC Rules website.
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