WORLD WORLDWIDE US USA - New York NY - New York City NYC - the city THE CITY - Online news journal UPDATE - Trash nightmare’s end, PFAS, home-cooling assistance

 

Dear New Yorkers,

Officials hope that the days are numbered for two ubiquitous features of New York’s sidewalks: towering piles of trash and scurrying rats.

(We know. You just thought, “Yeah, right.”)

But the city is making moves toward complete trash “containerization” — a long-held dream of garbage management experts and city planners.

Instead of putting flimsy, plastic trash bags on the curb, New Yorkers would instead put garbage into hard, plastic containers. Trash collectors then empty those containers directly into a truck and cart it away.

Revolutionary? Not really — containerization or something like it is the standard in almost every other major city in the country, and many around the world.

If implemented correctly, it could transform NYC curbsides.

But there is a long way to go, and lots of logistics to sort out. Read more about how and when it might all get done here.

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Tuesday’s Weather Rating: 9/10. Another beauty, with high temperatures a bit cooler than yesterday — near 70° F this afternoon — and mostly sunny skies. Northwest winds could be blustery at times, but the vibes are nearly perfect again today!

Our Other Top Stories

Many people have been hearing about PFAS a lot lately. That’s a class of thousands of man-made chemicals that don’t break down, and can accumulate in the environment and in your body over time. Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set a near-zero standard for PFAS in drinking water — which drew attention to the fact that in many places, PFAS chemicals have contaminated the water supply. The good news? NYC’s drinking water is basically fine. “Thus far, we don't think protecting New Yorkers to these new standards is going to require any significant change because right now, we have no levels of PFAS that would put us in violation of these new standards,” an official told THE CITY. On the latest episode of FAQ NYC, the hosts discuss the Trump trial circus, the NYPD’s attempt to reclaim a narrative, two police killings of emotionally disturbed people, and much more. Listen here.

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Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Wednesday, April 17: Henry Street Settlement’s 9th Annual Lillian Wald Symposium, a dialogue about the recent increase of migrants and asylum seekers in NYC. Free from 6 to 8 p.m. at Abrons Arts Center in Manhattan. Thursday, April 18: Spring Wildflower Walk, an educational walk led by Urban Park Rangers that teaches botany basics, plus how to identify different species of flowers. Free from 3 to 4 p.m. at Seton Falls Park in The Bronx. Saturday, April 20: Family Day: Spring Fest, with musical performances and activities for families. Free (first come, first served) from 12 to 4 p.m. at Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing.

THE KICKER: The application for New York State’s Cooling Assistance program is now open. If you're eligible, you can receive a benefit for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help your home stay cool.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Tuesday.

Love,

THE CITY

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