City orders Bronx businesses into commercial waste zones beginning Oct. 1; businesses must select one of three authorized carting companies
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Summary
A Department of Sanitation official told Community Board 11 that Bronx businesses in the city’s new commercial waste zone program must sign service agreements by Nov. 30 or be assigned one of three authorized private carting companies; recycling and organics collection will be required and discounted.
Juan Saldana of the New York City Department of Sanitation told the Community Board 11 full board on Oct. 24 that, effective Oct. 1, all businesses in the Bronx commercial waste zone must enroll in the city’s commercial waste zone program and sign a written service agreement with an authorized private carter.
Saldana said businesses have until Nov. 30 to choose a carter; if they do not, the Department will assign one. He said the program reduces the number of carters operating in each zone — “only 3 Carters” in Bronx East and Bronx West, down from many more previously — and that the change is intended to make collection “cleaner, safer, and more efficient.” The department’s materials, he said, explain authorized operators and maximum rates and encourage businesses to obtain multiple quotes.
The Department will require recycling and organics collection from carters at discounted rates compared with regular trash service, Saldana added, and urged businesses to check existing contracts for early-termination fees before breaking a current agreement, because existing contracts will be voided on Dec. 1 under the new rollout. He directed businesses to nyc.gov/cwz and to call 311 for more information.
Board members raised practical questions during the gallery session about whether existing contracts remain valid and whether businesses can appeal an assigned carter. Saldana responded that currently held contracts will be voided on Dec. 1 and that assigned carters will be subject to Department oversight; businesses dissatisfied with service can file complaints that the Department will review and, if warranted, change the assigned provider.
The announcement reflects the citywide rollout of commercial waste zones to consolidate commercial collection into designated operators in each geography. The Department emphasized outreach resources for small businesses and said it will post rates and authorized-carrier lists on the city website. Saldana offered to provide the community board with an official notice and to share the weblink in the meeting chat.
