Announced this week by the New York Department of Sanitation (DSNY), all food-related businesses could be fined for failure to comply with the city’s new waste containerization rule.
The rule change that went into effect August 1 requires food-related businesses to use containers when putting food waste out on the curb for collection. Last month, the DSNY issued roughly 21,000 warnings to businesses only using black trash bags. The DSNY informed these businesses that black plastic bags will not be collected under this change.
The warning period for these infractions ended on September 1 and fines will be issued to food related businesses that are non-compliant. A business’s first offense will net it a $50 fine, $100 for the second offense, and $200 for all offense thereafter.
The DSNY says that those classic, black trash bags leak food waste and attract rats. Although, using containers reduces the vermin issue but also foul odors.
Recycling and businesses that have its waste collected from a loading dock do not fall under this new requirement.