**West Harlem Launches Next Phase of New York City's Trash Overhaul**

A new stage in New York City's initiative to revolutionize trash management has kicked off in West Harlem, where large residential buildings must now use substantial bins for garbage collection instead of piling bags on the curb. This change, inspired by European practices, is part of Mayor Eric Adams's vision to improve the city's cleanliness and efficiency.

On a recent morning in Manhattan, sanitation worker Anthony J. Martin demonstrated the new method as he directed a garbage truck with mechanical arms to lift a large bin from the street. The bin, which can hold 800 gallons of trash, was emptied into the truck with a single motion, significantly cutting down the time and labor usually required.

Martin, who has spent nearly two decades hauling leaky and odorous garbage bags from the curb, now finds himself at the forefront of this "trash revolution." This week, the initiative expands to all large residential buildings in Community Board 9, covering the West Harlem neighborhoods of Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, and Hamilton Heights.

To accommodate the new Empire Bins, hundreds of parking spots were removed, and the streets now feature over 1,000 of these bins serviced by 16 specialized side-loading garbage trucks. The transition is seen as a notable improvement in a city historically marred by unsightly and obstructive trash piles.

Although the idea of adopting a system long used by other urban centers has invited some skepticism, it represents a pivotal shift in New York's waste management practices. In fact, the initiative is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Mayor Adams's first-term achievements, with even his political opponents acknowledging its merit.

The successful implementation in West Harlem could pave the way for a citywide rollout, marking a significant step forward in New York City's ongoing efforts to modernize and enhance its public sanitation services.