A Guide to CITIBIN Retrofit Kits

October 28, 2024 3 min read

A Guide to CITIBIN Retrofit Kits

CITIBIN retrofit kits allow you to update your existing enclosure to fit the new NYC Bins

10-second recap:It’s been a busy year in terms of trash and containerization requirements for New Yorkers.  NYC Mayor Eric Adams rolled out the official NYC Bin in July. On November 12, residential trash can no longer be placed in bags on the curb. CITIBIN has been paying attention and updating our product offerings behind the scenes since the new residential trash requirements were announced. We debuted a new size trash enclosure, the Medium, and also created a retrofit kit to increase the size of the Small to fit NYC Bins.

Do you need a retrofit kit for your CITIBIN enclosure?

If you’re an existing or legacy CITIBIN customer, you might wonder if your current trash enclosure meets city standards. Put simply, our Small size (previously named “Standard”) is shorter and shallower than the new NYC Bin. The Small was designed years ago to be standardized to a 44-gallon Rubbermaid Brute can, the most widely used by residential properties. 

If you have a SMALL, we got you. As soon as it was announced that trash bin requirements would change, our design and engineering team got to work developing a retrofit. Made of the same powder-coated sheet aluminum, the retrofit makes a Small CITIBIN 6-inches taller and 2-inches deeper.  

Related: How to Secure Your NYC Bins from Theft
If you have a CITIBIN Small, manufactured since 2016, there are two solutions. So, which should you choose?
  • "Upgrade" to a Medium. CITIBIN created the Medium-sized trash enclosure to ensure a comfortable fit for the new 35-45 gallon NYC Bins for residential buildings in the five boroughs of NYC. This is the right size for you if you own or manage a property with 1-9 units. We offer discounts to clients with Smalls who want to upgrade to Medium.
  • CITIBIN’s retrofit kit. Love your existing Small CITIBIN and don’t want to upgrade to a Medium? We don’t blame you, and might do the same! The retrofit kit essentially makes your Small into a Medium. If you have accessory modules such as a package locker and planters, those can be retrofitted, too. Retrofits are $300 per module + installation. Contact us at 347-549-4121 or info@citibin.com to discuss. 

 

CITIBIN takes customer satisfaction seriously. “We’re consumers too,” said Liz Picarazzi, CITIBIN Founder and CEO. “If we buy something that becomes obsolete, that’s a horrible feeling that we did not want our customers to have.” We hundreds of customers who are potentially impacted by the new regulations in NYC. Currently CITIBIN is the only manufacturer to develop a retrofit kit that enables the new NYC Bins. 

Currently CITIBIN is the only manufacturer to develop a retrofit kit that fits the new NYC Bins. There are tens of thousands of trash enclosures in New York City with no retrofit option. 

Related: Adopt Your Spot in NYC

What about everyone else? 

Wondering what your neighbors will be doing? CITIBIN polled existing and future customers to find out their preferences. 
Of the people we polled, 60% will be using the retrofit kit on their small CITIBIN enclosure, while 40% said they’ll opt for the Medium instead.

Important dates: 

    • November 12, 2024:All properties with 1-9 residential units must use bins, 55 gallons or less, with secure lids for trash set out. No more black bags on the curb.  They can be existing cans, or the official NYC Bins. A warning period will be in effect from November 12 through January 2, 2025. After the warning period, failure to use a bin that is 55 gallons or less with a secure lid for trash set out will result in fines:
      $50 for the first offense
      $100 for the second offense
      $200 for the third and subsequent offenses
    • June 2026: All properties with 1-9 residential units will be required to use the official NYC Bins, which is sold by Otto online. These are compatible with the new rear-loading garbage trucks.
    • June 2025-May 2026: - residential buildings with over 10 units in Manhattan Community District 9 will pilot stationary European style on-street containers, called “Empire Bins,” which are compatible with new automated side-loading trucks. The pilot in 2025-2026 will help the City determine whether to deploy Empire Bins city-wide, to buildings with more than 30 units, and some with over 10 units. This does not apply to CITIBIN customers, but it’s part of the trash changes in NYC, so we include it. 
If you’re not sure how the retrofit process works, we’re here to help. (You can also download CITIBIN’s buyer’s guide, which helps you through the process and explains CITIBINs—and even our competitors.) Call us at 347.549.4121 or email us at info@citibin.com to discuss retrofitting or updating your customized trash bin setup.


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