N.Y.C. Law Will Establish Waste Collection Zones

A new law will reorganize the city’s trash collection network and reduce the number of sanitation trucks crisscrossing the city.

1 minute read

November 7, 2019, 5:00 AM PST

By Camille Fink


New York Trash

Marcin Wasilewski / Shutterstock

The New York City Council recently passed a bill to create waste collection zones throughout the city. "The bill, which represents years of activism, study and wrangling, aims to create a safer, more labor-friendly and environmentally sustainable industry, in which trucks travel shorter routes and recycling rates improve under a franchised system overseen by the Department of Sanitation," writes Matthew Flamm.

The new law will create 20 zones across the city’s five boroughs with each zone serviced by three carters. Advocates say that the new system will cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and also make streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and workers. Labor unions were split in their support, and other opponents argued that the bill would increase service costs for small businesses and put smaller waste operators out of business.

"[Department of Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia] led the development of the plan over the past three years, following a de Blasio administration report in 2016 that determined the introduction of waste collection zones could reduce truck traffic by 49% to 68%," notes Flamm.

Thursday, October 31, 2019 in Crain's New York Business

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Floor-to-ceiling rotating gates at Fairmount subway station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems

SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

April 28 - Mass Transit

South LA Wetlands Park in Los Angeles, California.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope

Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

April 28 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Intersection in downtown Sacramento, California with neoclassical building with columns on left.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects

The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.

April 28 - The Sacramento Bee