Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ) is a New York City policy that reorganizes how trash is collected from businesses . Instead of many private haulers crisscrossing the same neighborhoods, the City is divided into zones, with a limited number of licensed haulers serving each one. After years of advocacy by the Transform Don’t Trash coalition, This system which was passed by local legislation (Local Law 199)  in 2019  aims to reduce truck traffic and air pollution, improve safety and labor standards, and create more efficient, reliable service for businesses.

By cutting down on redundant truck routes and setting clearer rules with a limited number of haulers in each zone, Commercial Waste Zones are designed to address long-standing environmental justice and worker justice issues. Right now, many low-income Black and brown communities experience disproportionate waste-pollution burden. The program encourages investment in cleaner trucks and better recycling infrastructure, helping move the City toward a more sustainable and equitable waste system.