Cleaner Curbs of the Lower East Side
New trash containers are popping up all across the city, and this summer, the Lower East Side welcomed its very own. Here’s how they’re helping create cleaner sidewalks and a more welcoming neighborhood.
The Lower East Side is taking an important step toward a cleaner future.
As part of the NYC Department of Sanitation's (DSNY) Clean Curbs program, developed in partnership with the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), new enclosed waste containers are being installed throughout the neighborhood to improve how commercial waste is stored before collection.
Why New York City Is Moving to Waste Containerization?
For years, piles of trash bags awaiting collection have been a familiar sight on New York City sidewalks. While effective for waste collection, exposed bags can contribute to cluttered sidewalks, create opportunities for pests, and detract from the appearance of our commercial corridors.
The Clean Curbs program represents a new approach.
Instead of placing bags directly on the sidewalk, participating businesses will use enclosed, rodent-resistant containers that safely store waste until it is collected by DSNY.
The result is a cleaner, more organized streetscape that benefits everyone.
Cleaner Sidewalks and Commercial Corridors for the Lower East Side
These new containers are designed to help:
Keep sidewalks cleaner and more accessible by replacing piles of commercial trash bags with enclosed waste containers awaiting collection.
Support rodent mitigation efforts by keeping waste enclosed until it is collected.
Improve the appearance of commercial corridors by reducing visible curbside waste.
Advance New York City's transition to modern waste management through containerized commercial waste collection.
Designed for the Lower East Side
The Lower East Side deserves infrastructure that works well and feels at home on its streets.
Rather than leaving them as plain utility containers, the Lower East Side Partnership worked to incorporate artwork inspired by the neighborhood's history, culture, and creative energy. The custom wraps celebrate the Lower East Side's rich tapestry while helping the containers blend into the streetscape they were designed to improve.
It's a reminder that even everyday infrastructure can reflect the character of a community.
We're grateful to the NYC Department of Sanitation, NYC Department of Transportation, Citibin, and Skyline Striping for helping bring this vision to life. Together, we're building a cleaner Lower East Side.