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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Empire Bins pilot program in West Harlem
0:14:55
·
77 sec
Commissioner Lojan provides details on the Empire Bins pilot program being implemented in West Harlem, which aims to fundamentally change how trash is stored and collected in New York City.
- Over 1,000 Empire Bins will be installed in West Harlem, covering 80% of apartment units
- Bins are assigned to specific large buildings, not shared by entire blocks
- The program is set to begin on June 1, with analysis of results to follow
- The commissioner emphasizes the need for the RAD Act (Removing Animals from Trash Act) to expand the program beyond the pilot
Javier Lojan
0:14:55
West Harlem will see just over 1,000 empire bins covering more than 80% of their part of their apartment units.
0:15:02
Unlike in any other parts of the world, the bins are not shared by the entire block.
0:15:07
Bins will be assigned to a single large building using our density which had long been thought of the Achilles heel of containerization to our advantage by allowing far greater oversight.
0:15:17
Property owners will have access cards and designate appropriate staff to be able to access the bins.
0:15:23
DSNY outreach staff is on the ground in the neighborhood now explaining this And upon completion of installation, use of these on tree containers will begin June 1, and we will begin analyzing results and outcomes right away.
0:15:36
But I must caution the members of this council, as I have done in previous hearings, If you would like to see this international best practice expand beyond West Harlem, if you would like to defeat the piles of trash and the rats once and for all, there is pending legislation that must pass.
0:15:50
Council member Hudson is the lead sponsor on a bill many of you have already joined.
0:15:55
The removing animals from trash act or RAD act is absolutely essential to the expansion of this program.
0:16:02
Without that bill becoming law, this will be just another pilot.
0:16:05
We can have clean sidewalks, clear corners, and passable curb cuts.
0:16:09
We really can if we just see this through the end.