DSNY Provides Update on Sanitation Services During COVID-19 Response
Trash, Recycling and Organics Collection Continue on Schedule, Some Delays Expected Some Services, Including Electronics Collection and Food Scrap Drop-Off Sites, Have Been Suspended
The New York City Department of Sanitation today announced that core Sanitation services will continue on the normal collection schedule during the City’s COVID-19 response. Residents should follow their normal schedule and place their material at the curb after 4 p.m. but before midnight, the evening before their collection day. Anyone with questions about collection schedules should contact 311.
DSNY has suspended some services in order to limit person-to-person contact and to enable our workforce to refocus on core operations. Suspended services include Food Scrap Drop-off sites and curbside and apartment building electronics collection programs. A full list of service suspensions is included below.
DSNY and its employees play a critical role in the public health of our City. The Department has instituted plans to ensure ongoing operations during this challenging time. With more and more New Yorkers heeding the City’s advice to stay home and practice social distancing, DSNY expects collection volumes to increase and will respond accordingly.
“As with other emergency situations, our employees remain steadfastly committed to serving the public and keeping the City healthy, safe and clean,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “New Yorkers depend on us, and we will continue to provide our most essential services to help keep our city healthy. We ask for residents’ patience and cooperation as we work to deliver these services as quickly and safely as possible.”
Like other city agencies and institutions, DSNY has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department has prepared contingency plans for this inevitable situation to protect the safety of our front-line workforce. Residents may experience some delays in collection as these measures are implemented. Additionally, to conform to current public gathering guidelines and better provide our essential services, some temporary closures, postponements and cancelations are in effect.
Service Suspensions (as of March 20, 2020):
Food Scrap Drop-off Sites:
Food Scrap Drop-off sites will be closed until further notice.
Residents should not leave food scraps at these locations.
Visit nyc.gov/dropfoodscraps for updates.
Household Hazardous Waste:
The spring SAFE events scheduled have been canceled. We look forward to hosting the next series of events in the fall.
Special Waste Drop-off sites will be closed until further notice.
Residents should not illegally dump waste at these locations.
Visit nyc.gov/safedisposal for updates.
Compost Giveback:
Compost giveback events scheduled in April have been canceled.
Check nyc.gov/getcompost for updates on future events.
Electronics Recycling:
Curbside electronics recycling appointments are not being accepted at this time.
Pickup requests for ecycleNYC are not being accepted at this time.
Visit nyc.gov/electronics for recycling options and updates.
Textile Donation and Recycling:
Pickup requests for refashionNYC are not being accepted at this time.
Greenmarket clothing collections are suspended until further notice.
Visit nyc.gov/textiles for donation options and updates.
In addition, alternate side parking regulations remain suspended through Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
For further updates, New Yorkers should call 311, visit nyc.gov/sanitation or follow @nycsanitation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the New York City Department of Sanitation
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) keeps New York City healthy, safe and clean by collecting, recycling and disposing of waste, cleaning streets and vacant lots, and clearing snow and ice. The Department operates 59 district garages and manages a fleet of more than 2,000 rear-loading collection trucks, 450 mechanical brooms and 705 salt/sand spreaders. The Department clears litter, snow and ice from approximately 6,500 miles of City streets and removes debris from vacant lots as well as abandoned vehicles from City streets.