NYC Trash Set Out Times Change Friday

NEW YORK CITY — This isn't an April Fool's Day joke, New Yorkers — starting Friday, the city has new rules for when people can set out their trash.

Plastic trash bags won't be allowed on the curb until after 8 p.m., according to the Department of Sanitation.

The time change from the long-held 4 p.m. set-out time for trash and recycling is part of Mayor Eric Adams' self-ballyhooed crusade against rats. Reducing the time garbage is on the curb will starve rats, he has argued.

"It made no sense that these garbage bags have remained on the street for such a long period of time," he said in October, when he announced the change.

Beyond the 8 p.m. set-out time, here are the new rules.

• Residents can place waste out after 6:00 p.m. if they do so in a container of 55 gallons or fewer with a secure lid.
• Al residential waste must be set out by midnight to ensure collection.
• Businesses can set trash to the curb one hour before closing if using a container with a secure lid.
• Business that put bags directly on the curb must do so after 8 p.m.

City dwellers and businesses will have a one-month grace period for violations until May 1. During that time, they'll receive written warnings that will be tracked, and those recipients will be among the first inspected for compliance in May.