Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Mayor Adams scoffs at trash can refunds for 250K NYC homeowners
By
Liam Quigley
Published Mar 18, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
By
Liam Quigley
Published Mar 18, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Mayor Eric Adams on Monday sharply criticized legislation passed by the City Council that would give hundreds of thousands of small homeowners free trash bins, or refund those who’ve already purchased them.
The bill sponsored by Councilmember Yusef Salaam passed the Council with a veto-proof majority in February, two months after new rules went into effect requiring residential buildings with nine or fewer units to put out trash in bins rather than piling up bags on the sidewalk. Property owners have to use containers with secured lids, but starting in June 2026 will be required to buy city-issued bins for roughly $53 to put out their garbage.
The legislation — which still awaits the mayor’s signature — would provide city-issued bins or refunds to owners of buildings with one or two units enrolled in the city’s School Tax Relief program. The deal would cover about 265,000 households at a cost of $14.5 million, according to the city Independent Budget Office.
During a news conference on Monday, Adams said the refunds were too costly, and suggested they should instead be negotiated through the city budget that’s due by the end of June. He did not say whether he would veto the legislation.
“We don’t have an endless pocket. It’s easy to say, 'Let’s just spend, let’s just spend.' We would love that,” said Adams. “We would love to give the bins out free to everyone, but everything comes with a price tag.”
The sanitation department’s preliminary budget hearing with the Council is scheduled for next Tuesday.
Sanitation department spokesperson Vincent Gragnani said roughly 650,000 official NYC bins have been delivered to property owners since they went on sale last fall.
“I bought my bins, so the goal is to see what the best we can do for working-class people in the city,” Adams said.
Salaam said he would review Adams’ remarks on the bill.
Tagged
new york city
Politics
sanitation
Liam Quigley
Liam Quigley is a reporter covering parks & sanitation for Gothamist and WNYC. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .