As previously reported, the East Side Line of the Roosevelt Island AVAC (Automatic Vacuum Collection) underground garbage removal system has been out of service since December 10, 2025.
Today, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Assistant Vice President of Communications and Government Relations Bryant Daniels:
Any update on status of AVAC system for Riverwalk and Roosevelt Landings buildings.
Mr Daniels replied:
We have two jams we’re currently working through. In 505 Main Street, a person who moved out three old rugs into the system which has shut the system down for that building. DSNY is working on resolving that, which is the only building affected on the West side.
On the East side, theres a clog between 560 and 580 Main Street that requires a water jetting system for dislocation, but we can’t do that when it’s this bitterly cold. So we’re hoping to schedule that work sometime next week when it reaches above freezing, but until then we need to have DSNY continue making daily pickups.
That clog is keeping the East side line from being reactivated.
I do want to remind residents that the chief driver of problems with the AVAC system remains residents throwing larger items into their building’s chutes that don’t belong there. These prohibited items lead to big, heavy clogs, which are often severe and require us to take the system offline for remediation. Please, only dispose of proper items with the AVAC system.
During an October 23, 2022 tour of the Roosevelt Island AVAC facility I asked Sanitation Department worker TJ about crazy items that were placed in the AVAC chutes.
TJ answered that bed frames and TV sets have been thrown down the AVAC chute.
Watch the full video of the fascinating 2022 tour of the Roosevelt Island AVAC facility.
NYC Sanitation Department Chief Engineer Stephen Dickens show us the inner workings of the Roosevelt Island AVAC system in this December 9, 2025 Instagram video and reports bed frames, frying pans and even a mannequin have at times clogged and then been removed from the AVAC pipes.
During the December 4, 2025 Board Meeting, RIOC Directors approved a $360,000 contract to replace a portion of the West side line pipe of the AVAC system.
Perhaps much more needs to be spent to fix the entire AVAC system
At TIOC Op committee
Meeting, a board member brought up question of whether the chute openings are too large or designed poorly to invite or facilitate putting in inappropriate items. Perhaps it’s not an entire AVAC resident but just reconsideration of the chute doors…
The situation in your first photo—from my building—brings insects, which are starting to come to our apartment which is near the trash-shute room. I’m shooing one of them now as I write this, and not happy about it.