Can New Garbage Setout Times Save New York City from Its Rat Infestation?

New York City's rat problem is infamous, with the rodents running rampant in many areas of the city. In an effort to combat this issue, the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has announced changes to garbage setout times, effective April 1st, 2023. The current setout times of 4pm - midnight will be revised, with new times for different types of waste.

Under the new rules, waste placed in 55-gallon or smaller containers with a lid can be set out after 6 pm. Garbage bags, on the other hand, cannot be set out until after 8 pm. This change is intended to limit the amount of time that garbage is available on the street, which could help to reduce the rodent population and activity.

However, the change in setout times could pose a challenge for buildings without staff after 4:30 pm. These buildings may need to make adjustments to their waste disposal procedures to comply with the new rules. It remains to be seen how these buildings will handle this situation. Will they need to ask their staff to come back at 6 or 8pm? They have families, hobbies, and other obligations, how much will they charge for returning to the building for their extra time? What is the union saying about this?

Coop and condo boards will need to decide whether to invest in lidded bins to comply with the new regulations. While the cost of such bins may be a factor, it's important to consider the potential benefits of reducing the rodent population. For those with the most food waste, such as restaurants and grocery stores, the investment in lidded bins may be particularly worthwhile. These businesses may already have rat problems due to the amount of food waste they generate, and the new regulations could help to mitigate this issue.

Overall, it's difficult to predict whether the new setout times will effectively deter rats. While limiting the amount of time that garbage is on the street may help, there are many other factors that contribute to the city's rodent problem. For example, rats are attracted to food waste and can easily find it in many parts of the city. Additionally, the rat population is notoriously resilient and adaptable, so it remains to be seen how much of an impact these changes will have.

While changing the garbage setout times may help to reduce the rats that we see at night, it does not address the problem at heart. A more effective long-term solution may involve more advanced technology. In Sweden, for example, a machine that pumps carbon monoxide into rat burrows has been successful in reducing the rat population. Similarly, the Upper East Side of New York City has implemented this technology to combat their own rat problem. By using this method, the rats are killed in their burrows, preventing them from spreading disease and causing further damage to the city, and has proven to be effective in reducing the rodent population in the long term.

In conclusion, the NYC Department of Sanitation's new garbage setout times represent an attempt to tackle the city's rat problem. While this change may help to limit the amount of time that garbage is on the street, there are still challenges to overcome, particularly for buildings without staff after 4:30 pm. Ultimately, a more effective long-term solution may involve more advanced technology, such as the carbon monoxide pumping method. By adopting a multifaceted approach that addresses both short-term and long-term solutions, NYC may be able to effectively address its longstanding rodent problem.

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