Are Those ‘Big Belly’ Trash Bins Even Effective?
Big Belly fail in Seward Park
The Big Belly trash receptacles around town are, for the most part, rather useless. One need only walk past a given street corner to spot an overflowing garbage tower on, near, or in the unit itself.
For good reason.
Simply put, the average city pedestrian might not want to pull down that sticky, disgusting handle to toss trash, or push down on the foot pedal to accomplish same. It’s much easier to just toss into the standard circular trash can.
Over in Chinatown, we hear that several of the multi-thousand-dollar bins have been replaced. However, it’s unclear if their removal is temporary or related to the excessive overflowing. (Concession of failure?)
Big Belly cans are solar-powered “smart waste” machines that cost upwards of $4,000 apiece. All garbage collected is compacted, and can accumulate roughly 150 gallons of refuse. That translates into fewer pickups from the Department of Sanitation.
What’s your experience with Big Belly?
Rat wars? This looks like a rat buffet at night. Where's BID @NYCSanitation @boweryboogie @ChinatownNYC @Karlin_C https://t.co/fb6nA5T3AZ
— Sikchutnay (@SikLunChutNay) July 1, 2018
Recent Stories
For 7th Year Running, Greek Jewish Festival Returns to Broome Street this Weekend
After a more subdued outing last year, the Greek Jewish Festival this spring is on the rebound, pulling out the stops. It returns on Sunday for another go-round. Founded by Kehila Kedosha Janina on Broome Street seven years ago, the event celebrates the culture and traditions of the Greek Jewish community. Years past saw crowds […]
Revisiting the Story of the Eastern Dispensary at 75 Essex Street
The historic Eastern Dispensary Building at 75 Essex Street – home of Eisner Bros. – will soon undergo major redevelopment to add a ten-story protrusion to its rooftop. Fresh off this news, which broke earlier this month, we thought it appropriate to revisit a Bowery Boogie entry from nine years ago detailing the history of […]
Motorcycle Driver Killed in FDR Drive Crash
A motorcyclist driving the FDR Tuesday morning lost control of the vehicle and died after hitting the roadway, police said. The driver, identified as Brooklyn 36-year-old resident Christian Reyes, had been traveling southbound on the FDR Drive at 7:10am in the vicinity of Exit 3, when he struck the left edge curbing and guide rail. […]
Seven-Story Office Building Headed to Bowery Lighting District
A new commercial office tower is coming soon to the so-called Bowery Lighting District. Real Estate Equities Corp. submitted plans to Department of Buildings last month for an 85-foot commercial development at Bowery and Broome Street. The footprint will occupy the stretch of pre-war buildings spanning 156 to 166 Bowery; demolition permits were issued in June 2021. […]
Post-Pandemic Chinatown Brings Melting Pot of Restaurants
Chinatown is more than the regional Chinese cuisine of old. The neighborhood has certainly seen its comfort food offerings evolve throughout the decades. From the Americanized Chop Suey in the 1940s and 1950s, to Toisanese, Shanghainese and Hakka favorites in the 1960s. The influx of Hong Kong immigrants brought with it Cantonese offerings and Hong Kong-style […]
