NEW YORK, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- New York City's homes, businesses and institutions put about 44 million pounds (about 20 million kilograms) of waste out on the curb every day, U.S. media reported Wednesday.

About 24 million pounds (11 million kilograms) of the garbage is collected by the city's sanitation department, and much of the rest is handled by private garbage carters, according to an Associated Press report.

"For half a century, New York City residents have taken out their trash by flinging plastic bags stuffed with stinking garbage straight onto the sidewalk," said the report. "When the bags inevitably leak or break open, they spill litter into the street, providing smorgasbords for rats."

Covered bins became a requirement this month for all residential buildings with fewer than 10 living units. That's the majority of residential properties. All city businesses had to start using bins earlier this year, according to the report.

"The bin requirement, which took effect Nov. 12, comes with its own challenges," the report noted. Among them: finding a place for large, wheeled bins in neighborhoods where most buildings don't have yards, alleys or garages. Landlords and homeowners also have to collect the empty bins and bring them back from the curb in the morning -- something you didn't have to do with plastic bags.

City officials are issuing written warnings for non-compliance. Not everyone knows about the new rules yet. But come Jan. 2, fines ranging from 50 to 200 U.S. dollars will kick in, it added. Enditem

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