All New York City businesses must put their trash in solid containers with lids starting in March of next year, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Tuesday.
The move will expand the city’s trash containerization mandate beyond food service businesses and large chains, which started having to dispose of garbage in solid receptacles this month.
Each day, the new rule will see 20 million pounds of commercial trash diverted from black bags left on the side of the road, where rats can easily make a feast, to solid containers with lids that keep the pests out, the mayor’s office says. The move is part of the ongoing War on Rats spurred by the mayor, who has made no secret of his feelings toward the rodents.