Community Alerts 8.21.24

Sanitation Updates

Composting Begins in October: Curbside composting will be available to all residents beginning October 6, 2024. Service will be year-round every week, and collection is on your recycling day. Learn more about the program here. Then, place your order for a free Brown Bin for your building. Orders must be placed before October 28, 2024. The next information session for property managers and superintendents will be on Thursday, August 22, at 2:00pm. Register here. 

New Trash Containerization Rules for Residential Buildings: The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) recently announced plans to containerize all residential trash. As of November 12, 2024, properties with fewer than 10 residential units will be required to use bins with secure lids for trash set-out (55 gallons max) before transitioning to the use of an official NYC bin next summer. Eventually, properties with 10-30 residential units will be required to choose either stationary, on-street containers, or smaller wheelie bins, and properties with 31+ units will be required to use stationary, on-street containers for their trash, serviced by new, automated side-loading garbage trucks. On-street containers will be assigned to a specific building solely for residents of that building. Learn more or attend one of DNSY’s virtual information sessions, which will be held on Thursdays throughout August and September. 

Restaurants: Complete This Outdoor Dining Survey

The August 3rd deadline passed to apply for the Dining Out NYC program. The deadline was for businesses that wanted to continue operating their current pandemic-era outdoor dining setup while their new application is processed. If you had outdoor dining prior to August 3, please complete this survey to inform the NYC Hospitality Alliance’s advocacy for restaurants and bars. 

Resources for Businesses

Emergency Resources: The NYC Department of Small Businesses (SBS) and the NYC Emergency Management Department have a variety of resources that can help guide businesses before, during, and after an emergency. The City provides information, depending on the type of disruptive event: Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program; Emergency Preparedness Resources; Emergency Response & Recovery; and Insurance and Emergency Assistance. If businesses are impacted by an unexpected business disruption, they can also reach out to the SBS Emergency Response Unit using this referral template to receive immediate recovery assistance. The template can be emailed to ERU@sbs.nyc.gov. For even more information, review this printable brochure about SBS's emergency services (available in English and 13 other languages). 

Employee Training Programs: SBS provides federally funded grants to help NYC-based businesses train and retain their employee through its Customized Training Grant. The grant reimburses up to 60 percent of the total training costs in one or more of the following areas: learning how to use recently purchased equipment or software; offering new services/products to reach new markets; providing new skills to help current staff advance into hard-to-fill positions; and updating outdated skills to help the business be more competitive. Learn more and apply here, or register for a training webinar. 

MTA’s Vacant Unit Activation Program

Launched in late 2023, the vacant retail activation program aims to fill vacant retail units in the subway system with creative non-traditional uses, such as art installations or cultural programming that can make currently underutilized spaces more vibrant. If you are a nonprofit, community, or arts organization and would be interested in operating a unit, reach out to mtare@mtahq.org, or learn more here. 

NYC Aging Survey

If you are aged 60 or older and/or are caring for someone aged 60 or over, please take a moment to complete this survey from the NYC Department of Aging. The survey will be used to build an age-inclusive city. All responses to the survey are voluntary and anonymous; however, those who complete the survey and choose to share contact information will be entered to win one of fifty $50 gift cards. For more information, call Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469).

September 11 Tribute in Lights 

To mark the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and NYC Tourism are encouraging buildings across the City to illuminate their facades or rooftops in any shade of blue for the annual Tribute in Lights, taking place the evening of September 11, 2024. If you’re interested in participating or have any questions, please contact Allie Gauthier (agauthier@911memorial.org) from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, then check out these tips on how to participate while minimizing the effects for migrating birds. 

Traffic Advisories from DOT

Need to know about upcoming bridge and street closures? Visit DOT’s webpage for the weekly traffic advisory and weekend traffic advisory.