New York City Prepares for Waste Containerization to Combat Littered Streets

In an attempt to get rid of the smelly waste and garbage bags that litter its streets, New York City is preparing to convert to “containerization”. A concept that consists of “remove litter from the streets and [à] put them in containers”, summary The New York Times.

Currently, each sector of the city is assigned a “collection day”. Garbage bags are therefore placed on the sidewalk. The idea of ​​installing a system of individual and collective containers is not “not so new” by the American daily’s own admission. It nevertheless requires the removal of 150,000 free parking spaces. According to a report published on May 3 by those responsible for urban sanitation, some areas of the city might see “up to 25% of their parking spaces” disappear.

Hundreds of millions of dollars

If the cost of containerization has not been disclosed by the municipality, it would amount to “hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade”, says the New York newspaper. New garbage trucks, increased frequency of garbage collection and fixed containers in the streets: the project could “revolutionizing waste collection” At New York.

With nearly 11,000 tonnes of garbage and recyclable products daily, the metropolis is a “global waste pariah”.

The plan, however, could “run up against the reluctance of certain communities”, points to the title. The latter have already issued criticisms, worried about seeing 10% of the parking spaces available in the city’s residential streets disappear. A sensitive subject, while parking is “one of the battle horses of city policy”, recalls the American newspaper.

The pilot program, expected by the fall, presents a real challenge for New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who said in April: “We are committed to making this the cleanest city in the United States, and we will get there!”