Trash and waste transferred by rail would have to be properly contained to avoid littering in communities trains pass through under a measure approved Wednesday in the state Assembly. 

“Every New Yorker deserves to live in a safe and healthy environment,” said Speaker Carl Heastie. “This legislation will ensure that the transportation of waste via rail does not put neighboring communities at risk from leaks, spills or odors and fumes.”

The bill is meant to address the rise in waste and trash being transported by rail in the U.S. as the trucking of garbarge is being phased out.

Rail cars would have to be sealed with hard lids if hauling putrescible waste as part of the measure. If hauling non-putrescible waste, the cars would have to be covered with a hard tarp before departing a transfer station. 

“As railroads are being used more and more frequently to transport waste, it is essential that we ensure the communities that surround railroad tracks are protected,” said Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “My legislation will ensure that rail cars carrying waste will be properly covered and that the communities they pass through are no longer exposed to dangerous spills or noxious fumes.”