'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 Edited by Jessica Thomas

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

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

Madeline Garfinkle

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. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Buying / Investing in Business

Former Zillow Execs Target $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Business News

College Professors Are Turning to ChatGPT to Generate Course Materials. One Student Noticed — and Asked for a Refund.

AI use in higher education is becoming more popular for students and professors.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Finds a Buyer in One Day for Her $12 Million 'Palace in the Sky' Penthouse

Corcoran bought the duplex co-op for $10 million in 2015 and spent $2 million renovating it.

Starting a Business

A Cambodian Refugee Paralyzed By Polio Says 'Not Much' Was Expected of Him. He and His Wife Built a Multimillion-Dollar Business That Beat All Odds.

Steve and Brittany Yeng were discouraged from pursuing their unique idea, but they didn't listen to the naysayers.

Business News

You Can Now Order Food and Book a Massage on Airbnb. Here's How.

Airbnb redesigned its app and added a host of new services.