By RitaSue Siegel
On Tuesday, September 15, I left a taxi at Fifth and 54th just as the meter turned $30.00. The trip started at 68th and York. The taxi crawled for 40 minutes, the entire way. The driver was almost in tears. I kept my temper in check knowing “stress kills.” This is a typical fare I pay these days before tipping for not going very far. Can New York City’s traffic get worse? I think so.
And here’s why: “Empire Bins” for garbage collection are being assigned and installed at buildings over 30 units and schools across the city by the Department of Sanitation.
Our district, Manhattan Community District 5, is not yet on the schedule. The citywide installation is scheduled to be completed by 2031 or 2032, depending on your source.
Each gray, heavy-duty plastic container is about six feet long, five feet wide, and slightly more than five feet tall. They are sealed, locked, and very unattractive. The sanitation program responsible for the invasion of the bins was developed under former Mayor Adams to reduce the growing rat population, keep city sidewalks clean, eliminate the stench of spilled, rotting garbage, and improve people’s health. In trials, the program proved itself on all counts. For smaller properties, smaller, sealable, rat-proof trash containers are mandated and available at Lowe’s and Home Depot. (Meanwhile the use of black plastic bags will continue.) In 2031 or 2032, when the citywide installation is completed and the program has converted the use of somewhere between 6,500 and 30,000 parking spaces to garbage control, depending on who is counting, we will know how traffic has been affected.
Each Empire Bin takes the parking space of a small car, leaving drivers to compete for fewer spaces and likely to increase double parking. New, specially designed, automated side-loading garbage trucks will unlock and empty the sealed bins. The containers will be placed away from Citi Bike stations, bike lanes, bus stops, bus lanes, loading zones, and outdoor dining, and are generally installed in curbside parking lanes in front of or near their assigned buildings. Noncompliance will result in fines from $50 to $200. (Why so low?)
The driving space lost to bins will impede traffic, as has the influx of Uber, Lyft, Curb and Via. Since the pandemic, ordering food has increased and so have traditional and electric bike riders, scooters and other small vehicles delivering. Can you imagine less space for traditional taxis and private cars on the avenues and streets near you? Take a look at these photos and imagine how your block will look.
A committee from the West 50s Neighborhood Association has more than once complained of the underperformance of the Department of Sanitation, showing photos of overflowing trash and filthy streets as evidence. Our streets and sidewalks are still filthy, and trash cans are overflowing. Our past complaints resulted in some improvement of collection services, but the response was inadequate and short-lived. Installing new and different containers is no guarantee of improved, sustainable DSNY performance.
How will the installation of car-size bins, the reduction of parking spaces, and the increased number of vehicles improve life for the residents of our neighborhood? Time will tell.
The plan is to power wash the dumpsters, aka Empire Bins. Graffiti artists will find them irresistible. What happens when it snows?
I do not have a magic wand to improve garbage collection or traffic conditions. I recommend everyone get to know our representatives. (People help the people they know.) Call them, invite them to meet with you, send emails and letters about garbage and traffic, and file a 311 report. Report what you see, send suggestions and photos, demand action, and vote. If you have any great suggestions, please send them to contact@w50s.org.
Authored by RitaSue Siegel, Secretary, West 50s Neighborhood Association.