HISTORY This Week

New York Takes Out the Trash

Nov 18, 2024

In this discussion, Robin Nagle, an anthropologist with the NYC Department of Sanitation and a clinical professor at NYU, dives deep into New York City's long history with its notorious rat population. She highlights the city's shift to containerization in waste management as a key strategy to tackle urban cleanliness and rat control. Nagle also reflects on the evolution of sanitation practices, from colonial times to modern reforms, showcasing the pivotal role of socio-economic factors and innovative leaders in shaping New York's sanitation landscape.

35:53

Episode guests

Robin Nagle

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Quick takeaways

New York City's fight against rats focuses on improved waste management strategies like containerization to enhance public health and sanitation.

Historically, New York's garbage management has evolved from chaotic practices to organized systems, influenced by public health crises and key reformers.

Deep dives

The War on Rats in New York City

New York City faces a persistent and significant challenge in managing its rat population, which is estimated to number around three million. The city government's recent initiatives focus on tackling the underlying issue of waste management, as rats thrive in environments with abundant trash. By shifting to a containerization strategy, utilizing sturdy plastic containers instead of plastic bags that rats can easily breach, New York aims to create a more rat-proof environment. Mayor Eric Adams underscores that this battle against rats is not just about aesthetics but essential for public health and urban comfort.

Intro

2min

Rats and Waste Management in New York City

2min

Tackling Urban Waste: A Conversation on Containerization and Commerce

4min

Waste Management in New York City: A Historical Perspective

14min

Reforming NYC Sanitation: Colonel Waring's Mission

5min

Innovations in NYC Sanitation

8min

November 18, 2022. New York City is at war... with rats. And today, Mayor Eric Adams is set to announce four new pieces of legislation aimed at combating this scurrying problem.

Two of these laws will target garbage, the rats' main source of food. If you put trash in places the rats can't get, their population will plummet, and New York will get a major victory in this long-running war.

The garbage problem is nothing new for the city. In fact, it's been an issue since its founding almost 400 years ago. Today, we try to understand, how has New York historically tackled its trash? And when did the city become a shining example of sanitation for the entire world?

Special thanks to our guest, Robin Nagle, anthropologist-in-residence for the New York City Department of Sanitation and a clinical professor at NYU's School of Liberal Studies. Her book is Picking Up: On the Streets and Behind the Trucks with the Sanitation Workers of New York City.

“Mayor Eric Adams Signs Rodent-Related Bills: Intros. 414-A, 442-A, 459-A, and 460-A” by NYC Mayor's Office is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

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