New Bill Could Expedite Removal Of lllegal Clothing Bins
Image: WNYC
A few weeks ago, we shared the news that those ubiquitous pink bins were not only extremely illegal, but also extremely deceptive: The majority of the clothes donated are sold by for-profit companies to thrift stores or overseas businesses. A good many of us were justifiably pissed and apparently we haven’t been alone in our outrage: Last week, City Councilman Vinnie Gentile introduced a new bill that would empower the Department of Sanitation to remove the bins immediately.
On July 24, Councilman Gentile, who represents Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, brought Bill Int 0409-2014 before the City Council for consideration, reports the Bay Ridge Journal. The bill calls for not only the immediate removal of the bins from city property, but also adds a $250 fine for first-time offenders of the would-be law and a $500 fine for repeat offenders.
As it stands, the Department of Sanitation can’t take immediate action. First, the DOS must paste a label on the bins warning the owners to remove them and then 30 days after that the DOS can physically remove the bin. Bill Int 0409-2014 would do away with that 30-day waiting period if the bin’s owner fails to include their contact information on the pink monstrosities.
And it looks like the bill may pass with little to no interference: Big names like City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Mayor De Blasio have already signed on to sponsor Int 0409-2014. If passed as is, the new law will go into effect 90 days after signing.
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