Commercial waste zones come to the Bronx
Starting Oct. 1, Bronx businesses will have to sign contracts with city-approved commercial waste carters. It's a part of a new "Commercial Waste Plan" that the Department of Sanitation oversees.
More Stories
Starting Oct. 1, Bronx businesses will have to sign contracts with city-approved commercial waste carters. It's a part of a new "Commercial Waste Plan" that the Department of Sanitation oversees.
"Commercial waste and the commercial carting industry have been something of a wild West where if you had 15 businesses on the block, every one of those businesses might pick a different private Carter. And that means every night you could have 15 different trucks coming down that block," said Joshua Goodman, with DSNY.
Goodman told News 12 the city agency is implementing this plan so fewer garbage trucks will crowd the city's streets. He mentions this will reduce traffic and lead to safer streets and cleaner air.
"We are estimating that about 12 million fewer miles will be traveled by trucks per year in New York City, when this program is fully rolled out," said Goodman.
The Bronx is split between two zones. Each zone has a list of approved carters to choose from. The approved carters and DSNY will be visiting all businesses in the coming weeks to spread information about trash pickup options.
News 12 toured Action Carting, one of the approved carters, to see how they're planning for the rollout.
"It means tremendous growth. It means a lot of investment in our people, in our facilities and our equipment. And we're excited to see what's to come," said Josh Haraf, with New York City for Interstate Waste Services.
DSNY wants businesses to know that there is a maximum price implemented to prevent rate hikes. There are also stricter safety and sustainability requirements and harsher penalties for violations. If businesses don't sign a contract with an approved vendor by November 30, the city will assign one at the highest rate.
