Officials abandon subway trash bin ban experiment

NEW YORK >> Faced with too much trash in one of the world’s biggest — and arguably dirtiest — subway systems, New York transit officials tried an unusual social experiment. They removed garbage bins from 39 out of the more than 400 stations, figuring that would deter people from bringing trash into the system.

That was a no-go in a go-go city where eating and drinking is often done on the run.

People who toss their soda bottles and potato chip bags onto platforms and tracks kept doing it, causing fires. And hungry rats kept scurrying through stations, drawn by garbage.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority run by New York state decided to put the bins back.

“It took the MTA five years, but we are gratified that it recognized the need to end this controversial experiment that showed little to no improvements in riders’ experience,” said New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who had released audits saying that fires started by trash thrown on the tracks systemwide didn’t decrease as a result of the program.

A transit spokeswoman, Beth DeFalco, said in a statement that the pilot was worth trying, and did lead to some improvements, including fewer track fires without the sometimes overflowing bins. But in the end, it “wasn’t the most efficient way to clean the stations.”

The MTA said the decision was made in September, and state officials are only now making their final evaluations.

The reason for canceling the experiment may have something to do with the pace of New York City life, its disposable culture and the premium that residents put on convenience.

In New York, pedestrians are rarely more than a few steps from a trash bin. And because they mostly aren’t driving, they carry everything they need in their hands or on their shoulders, or simply buy it on the go.