New York City officials are expanding the program that moves trash into large plastic bins to more parts of Brooklyn. In Fort Greene, 700 Empire-style bins will replace the black garbage bags left on sidewalks. The new system is meant to limit rodents’ access to waste and improve sanitary conditions. According to city data, the number of rat complaints has dropped by as much as 35% in areas with similar changes.
The containerization program, which has been running in New York for two years, calls for gradually replacing trash bags with lidded bins. Smaller residential buildings use wheeled bins, while larger properties get large Empire containers. Data from the city’s 311 complaint system show that rat complaints fell by 25% in West Harlem after the reform was introduced. An analysis of citywide data points to drops of up to 35%.
On Thursday, the program will cover additional parts of Brooklyn, including Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Fulton Ferry, Dumbo, Vinegar Hill, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. After the expansion, about 70% of homes across New York City will be covered by the changes in how waste is collected.
Beginning in April next year, more bins are slated to go to 6,500 buildings across all five of New York City’s boroughs.
Ed. JŁ
Source: Nowy Dziennik
