Brooklyn Daily Eagle – By Brooklyn Eagle Staff | March 10, 2025
CITYWIDE — CITY RESIDENTS CAN GET NEW NYC TRASH BINS FREE OF CHARGE, thanks to a bill that the City Council passed on Thursday, Feb. 27, and that state Assemblymember William Colton is applauding. The bill, Intro 1126-2024, which, as of press time on Monday, March 10, awaits Mayor Eric Adams’ signature, mandates free distribution of the new trash bins – dubbed the NYC bin – to owners of single-family and two-family homes that are enrolled in the STAR or Enhanced STAR property tax
relief programs.
The legislation also requires the city to issue refunds to eligible property owners who have already purchased the new bins in time for June 2026, when their use will be required citywide.
The bipartisan bill, whose primary sponsor was Yusef Salaam (D-Upper West Side/Harlem), passed with 42 affirmative votes (some members were absent or on leave). Brooklyn cosponsors include councilmembers Susan Zhuang (D-43), Crystal Hudson (D-35), Chi Ossé (D-36), Alexa Avilés (D-38), Shahana Hanif (D-39), Farah N. Louis (D-40), Darlene Mealy (D-41), Mercedes Narcisse (D-46)
Justin Brannan (D-47) and Inna Vernikov (R-48). Assemblymember Colton supported the bill, but wasn’t a sponsor, as he is a state legislator.
Pointing out that the city distributed free compost bins and should do the same with trash cans, Colton said, “I certainly hope that the mayor signs the legislation in short order.”
Some Williamsburg residents got a nasty shock last month when photos of a gnawed hole in the side of one of the mandatory bins appeared to indicate that the “rat-proof” bins may not be as effective as advertised.
