Critics Call to Halt NYC's Empire Bins Dumpster Plan
This week, Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled the 'Empire Bins' initiative, which seeks to substitute black trash bags with large dumpsters by 2031. Matt Shaw, a critic from New York and the former executive editor of The Architect's Newspaper, has voiced strong objections to the plan. Building on the efforts of former Mayor Eric Adams, the strategy, created in collaboration with McKinsey, mandates dumpsters for residential buildings with over 30 units, while those with 10 to 30 units may choose to participate. Managed by the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY), this initiative could result in the removal of 150,000 parking spaces. Shaw warns that these dumpsters may lead to a constant presence of garbage, particularly affecting Brooklyn's Community District 2 and eventually Manhattan. He also questions the Landmarks Preservation Commission's involvement and advocates for a design competition.
Key facts
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the Empire Bins plan this week, with rollout to be completed by 2031.
- The plan builds on Eric Adams's 'Trash Revolution' and 'War on the Rats' campaigns.
- The plan was devised in consultation with McKinsey, according to the 'Future of Trash' report.
- Dumpsters will be required for residential buildings with over 30 units; buildings with 10-30 units can opt in.
- The plan will eliminate around 150,000 parking spots, about 5 percent of the city's total.
- The pilot launched in Brooklyn's Community District 2, including Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, and Boerum Hill.
- Manhattan's Community District 2, including the Greenwich Village Historic District, is next.
- At 8 Spruce Street, designed by Frank Gehry, 904 units could result in 30 to 40 bins.
- The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) may be able to stop dumpsters in historic districts unless deemed 'artworks.'
- Matt Shaw is the author of the critique and former executive editor of The Architect's Newspaper.
Entities
Artists
- Frank Gehry
Institutions
- New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- McKinsey
- Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC)
- The Architect's Newspaper
Locations
- New York City
- Brooklyn
- Brooklyn Heights
- Fort Greene
- Boerum Hill
- Manhattan
- Greenwich Village Historic District
- 8 Spruce Street
- Lower Manhattan
- Billionaire's Row
- Midtown
- NYCHA blocks
- Barcelona
- Paris
- Madrid