The city has officially put your garbage on the clock. If you live in a one- to nine-unit building in New York City, the required, wheeled, latching "NYC Bin" becomes mandatory starting June 1, 2026. Property owners and building managers will need to use these bins for curbside trash setouts or face escalating fines, so this is the moment to figure out what size you need and where you are getting it.
What the rule requires and when it kicks in
By ordinance, one- to nine-unit properties must use the official NYC Bin for trash by June 1, 2026. Enforcement fines begin at $50 for a first offense and can rise to $200 for repeat violations, according to the Department of Sanitation. DSNY guidance also spells out the approved sizes for trash bins (45-, 35- and 25-gallon wheeled cans), along with smaller compost containers, and explains that Official Bins are being distributed through a mix of retail partners and delivery channels.
Where to buy the bins and what they cost
You can order an Official NYC Bin through the city’s online portal or pick one up at Home Depot locations across all five boroughs. Retail pricing typically runs in the $45- to $53-range, depending on size, and the bins come with a 10-year warranty. The contract to manufacture and distribute the cans is held by Otto Environmental Systems, as reported by The City. Planning to buy in person. Check store availability online first so you are not hauling yourself to a location that is already sold out.
Delivery timeline and vendor notices
The city’s bin site currently notes that some third-party fulfillment and ordering services have had issues, but that select bins remain available at Home Depot stores. The portal also directs customers to vendor support for refunds or delivery updates, per bins.nyc. DSNY has said that deliveries which stalled last year have been resuming on a rolling schedule, so hang on to your order number, keep an eye out for delivery alerts, and contact the vendor or 311 if your status sits in limbo for too long.
How to choose the right size for your building
For most single-family homes, the 35-gallon model is a common choice, while multiunit buildings typically go for the 45-gallon bin. The city also offers a 25-gallon option for tighter spaces, according to guidance from the Department of Sanitation and coverage from local outlets. The official cans include anti-theft and identification features, including space for your address, a serial number and an RFID tag. The city recommends chaining bins only while they are stored, not when they are set out at the curb, so that collection is not blocked.
Quick checklist and where to get help
Here is a quick pre-deadline checklist: check Home Depot or your usual delivery app for local stock, save your order confirmation as proof in case there are hiccups, and pick a 35- or 45-gallon size based on how much trash your household typically sets out. If you still have questions about delivery status, enforcement or anything else bin-related, you can contact NYC 311 or use the online portal to review service options and file requests: NYC 311.
