'Rodent-Proof' Trash Containers Could Eliminate 150,000 NYC Parking Spaces As the city aims to curb the rat population, proposed "trash containerization" could be implemented on 89% of residential streets, but doing so would remove thousands of parking spots.

By Madeline Garfinkle

James Andrews | Getty Images
A row of trash bags along a residential street waiting to be picked up in Greenwich Village, New York City.

New York City is taking an aggressive approach to clean up the city, including hiring a "rat czar" to crack down on the growing rodent population. Now, the Department of Sanitation released a report proposing "trash containerization," which would implement "rodent-proof" containers for waste.

The containerization of trash intends to curb the rat population by cutting off food sources — as residents would be required to put waste in sealed containers rather than trash bags on the street.

According to the report, the receptacles could be installed on 89% of the city's residential streets. However, there are trade-offs: It would mean eliminating nearly 150,000 parking spots.

Related: 'The Most Disgusting Thing': Woman Allegedly Finds A Rat Floating In Her Soup

"Like many good things, it will not come easily, but there is no doubt that it can be done," Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation, wrote in the report.

The report does not mention the overall cost of implementing the new containers, but it could cost hundreds of millions over the next decade, The New York Times noted, as the city would also need to invest in new trash trucks to collect the waste from bins.

Tisch told the outlet that it may be too early to accurately estimate costs, but that it's definitely "not inexpensive."

Related: While Rent Prices Dropped Around the Country in March, Manhattan Hit a New Record High

Wavy Line
Madeline Garfinkle

Entrepreneur Staff

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

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