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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Rat mitigation efforts and success through containerization
0:05:13
ยท
97 sec
Commissioner Lojan presents impressive statistics on the reduction of rat sightings in New York City, attributing the success to containerization efforts and other sanitation initiatives.
- Rat sightings decreased by 23% in December 2024, 24% in January 2025, and 26% in February 2025 compared to the previous year
- The reduction is directly linked to changes in trash set-out policies and containerization requirements
- This success is described as a turning point in New York City's war against rats
Javier Lojan
0:05:13
Let me begin by sharing some astounding news, some new rat numbers.
0:05:17
And I know what you're thinking.
0:05:18
This is a new commissioner.
0:05:19
Are we really still talking about rat numbers?
0:05:22
You bet we are.
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For the last several years, we have been proud to announce decreases in rat sightings across the city, correlated with our efforts to get trash off the street through containerization, composting, and enforcement programs.
0:05:34
But please allow me to emphasize, the numbers you're about to hear are amazing in virtually every any historical context.
0:05:40
For years, rat sightings reported to three one one basically only increased.
0:05:45
In 2023, low double digits in the city's four rat mitigation zones.
0:05:50
That alone was caused for true meaningful celebration.
0:05:55
In December of twenty twenty four was the first full month in which buildings with one to nine union residential units were required to put their trash in bins.
0:06:02
In that month, rat sightings were down 23% compared to the same time the year before.
0:06:07
January 2025 was the second full month residential container rules, and rat sightings fell 24% compared to the same time the year before, a time when sightings were already falling.
0:06:18
In February of twenty twenty five, the third full month which 70% of New York City's trash was covered by requirements to use bins, rat sightings were down 26% compared to the year before.
0:06:29
This isn't an accident, isn't it isn't an anomaly, it is something that cynics in Chicago, LA, Paris, and even right here in our town never thought possible.
0:06:38
A turning of the tide in New York City's war against rats.
0:06:42
It is a direct result of once in a generation change to the way that trash is set out.
0:06:47
Trash revolution being waged on many fronts with more still to come.