The New York City Council meeting on September 19, 2025, focused on ongoing challenges related to street cleanliness, highlighting several proposed bills and initiatives aimed at improving waste management in the city.

A significant discussion centered around the Department of Sanitation's (DSNY) introduction of the "Better Bin," a new litter basket designed to enhance public space cleanliness. With approximately 5,000 of these bins now installed, the Better Bin features a modular design that minimizes misuse and is easier for sanitation workers to service. The DSNY expressed gratitude to council members for their support in funding these bins over the past two fiscal years and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to expand their rollout.

The meeting also addressed three key bills under consideration. The first, Intro 1349, sponsored by Council Member Dinowitz, proposes to exempt businesses generating medical waste from participating in the commercial waste zone program. DSNY officials voiced strong opposition to this bill, arguing that it could undermine recent progress in worker safety and environmental sustainability by allowing more trucks on the road and increasing emissions.

Another bill, Intro 536, would require retail food stores to post notices about food donation opportunities. While DSNY supports the intent of this legislation, they noted that it would require additional resources to implement effectively across over 15,000 businesses.

The third bill, Intro 1370, aims to create an online system for reporting illegal dumping. DSNY indicated that a similar system already exists through the 311 service, suggesting that new legislation may not be necessary.

Additionally, the meeting touched on Intro 1279, which seeks to delay containerization requirements for supplemental service providers by three years. DSNY opposed this delay, arguing that it would hinder efforts to keep the streets clean.

Despite the focus on street cleanliness, DSNY expressed disappointment that a proposed bill to extend enforcement hours for commercial cleanliness rules was not included in the agenda. Currently, enforcement is limited to just two hours a day, restricting the department's ability to maintain cleanliness effectively.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from DSNY to continue engaging with council members on these issues, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing the city's cleanliness challenges.