Following rollout and notice for 10 previous zones, the DSNY just finalized implementation dates for four more Commercial Waste Zones.

2027 Implementation Dates

We’ve covered the Commercial Waste Zone Rollout since it began back in late 2024, and we’re marching towards the end of citywide implementation. The following four zones have been added to the implementation list for 2027:

Zone	Start Date	Final Date
Brooklyn East	1/1/2027	2/28/2027
Manhattan Northeast	1/1/2027	2/28/2027
Queens West	4/1/2027	5/31/2027
Manhattan West	4/1/2027	5/31/2027

As a reminder, two zones start and end this year: both Brooklyn North and Upper Manhattan kick off 10/1 and end on 11/30 in 2026.

In addition to the continued rollout, the city clarified rules prohibiting awardees from refusing collection services to required buildings in their zones. Specifically, the new rule clarifies service level requirements, stating that awardees cannot deny establishments that request levels of service below the defined “default.”

Teams can review the final rule here.

Following Through

If commercial establishments “fail to enter into a written agreement with a zone awardee…by the final implementation date, and the Department has determined that the commercial establishment stores its waste in a container that has a capacity of 10 cubic yards or more, the Department may assign a zone awardee or a containerized commercial waste awardee to such commercial establishment for containerized commercial waste collection services.”

Basically, if an eligible building doesn’t engage with a zone awardee, the city will do it on their behalf.

If you’d like more information for your specific building, the DSNY’s website has a number of great resources:

• A more detailed rollout schedule
• Awardees by zone
• Info sessions for more details/direct help