Program Goals

For years, the system for collecting commercial waste from NYC's businesses has been plagued by public safety hazards, harmful environmental impacts, and poor customer service.

A single neighborhood might be serviced by dozens of private carters, creating a tangle of inefficient routes that increase air and noise pollution and decrease public safety.

Local Law 199 of 2019 mandates reforms to NYC's trade waste industry by establishing Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ). By dividing the City into zones – with a small number of private carters authorized to operate in each zone – CWZ seeks to create a safer and more efficient collection system while providing higher quality service and reducing harmful environmental impacts.

The goals of CWZ include:

• Pricing: Provide fair, transparent pricing with low prices for businesses
• Customer Service: Strengthen customer service standards and establish accountability.
• Waste Reduction: Reduce commercial waste disposal and incentivize recycling.
• Environmental Health: Reduce truck traffic throughout the city to reduce air pollution and improve quality of life.
• Health and Safety: Improve training and safety standards to make the industry safer for workers and the public.
• Labor and Worker Rights: Improve industry labor standards and uphold worker rights.
• Infrastructure and Waste Management: Prioritize investments in clean, modern fleets and facilities that make up a reliable, resilient, and sustainable waste management system.
• Robust, Competitive Industry: Create a system that works for carters of all sizes and prevents overreliance on any single company.

On January 30, 2024, DSNY announced new no-cost contracts with carters directly to reach the goals set out in the law. These selected carters are then authorized to operate in a given "Commercial Waste Zone" within the five boroughs and under the rules and requirements set forth by DSNY.