New Yorkers are increasingly expressing frustration over overflowing litter baskets across the city, which have become a common sight in many neighborhoods.
These containers, designed to help maintain cleanliness in the bustling metropolis, are often surrounded by heaps of garbage bags, leading to concerns about aesthetics and sanitation.
Mayor Eric Adams is currently pursuing an aggressive campaign against rats, with a specific focus on the containerization of trash. However, the situation remains dire as public litter baskets overflow, spilling trash into streets and onto sidewalks.
Mike Sabatino, a local resident, pointed out this issue at Pirate Park on Staten Island, noting, “The garbage cans are basically always overflowing. A lot of people leave their Dunkin’ cups and pizza boxes right on the benches two feet away from garbage cans.”
In Queens, a commuter emphasized a similar problem, stating that garbage cans in Woodside are “rarely” empty, especially in busy areas near bus stops and train stations. “There’s always large piles of trash bags here. Today I saw a homeless man sitting on top of them asking for money,” he recounted.
According to the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY), there are approximately 23,000 litter baskets on street corners throughout the city. amNewYork observed several of these bins overflowing with trash or vandalized, particularly on two recent Saturdays.
Some litter baskets, including a couple in Woodside, were filled with illegal household items like broken appliances, likely disposed of by individuals hoping that passersby or DSNY would take care of the mess.
A representative from DSNY clarified that it is illegal for anyone to place household trash in or around public litter baskets. “These baskets are for walking trash only, like coffee cups and candy wrappers. Anything else is prohibited, and anyone caught leaving household or residential trash in or next to a litter basket could be fined.”
Other containers were also reported to be chaotic, with one in Bushwick overflowing with food-related waste and another litter basket in Woodside so full of trash that debris had spilled out into the street.
The condition of litter baskets in neighborhoods like the West Village echoed this trend, with many bins filled to capacity and no immediate action taken to remedy the situation.
In the meantime, Mayor Adams has taken notable steps to tackle the city’s rat population, recently announcing plans to gas rats in their burrows under city trees at a cost of $877,000. This rat control strategy has faced criticism from animal advocates.
Amanda Lullo, a squirrel and small animal rescuer from Staten Island, contended that the city’s focus should be on managing garbage, not exterminating rats. She stated, “The problem is garbage in the streets, not the rats. People have to stop throwing their food and garbage on the streets. Rats serve a purpose in the ecosystem, too.”
Despite the visible challenges posed by overflowing litter baskets, residents have only made about 100 complaints to 311 so far this year regarding this issue. Nevertheless, DSNY is reportedly attentive to these complaints, promising immediate responses to reports of overflowing bins.
A DSNY spokesperson remarked, “Overflowing baskets are tracked closely by this data-driven agency, and we respond to problem locations in real time.”
In an urban environment teeming with over 8 million people, keeping all public litter baskets regularly emptied is undoubtedly a monumental challenge. The frequency of trash collection can vary significantly depending on the area.
“We have some baskets emptied as part of regular residential trash routes, while others may be serviced multiple times daily. Additionally, some council members allocate discretionary funds for extra services,” the spokesperson explained.
Many Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have previously bagged up trash and left it next to litter baskets for DSNY to collect. However, this practice will soon be against city regulations, mandating BIDs to either place these bags in containers or transport them elsewhere.
It’s not just DSNY managing trash; NYC Parks operates another 30,000 receptacles in city parks, with staff making daily efforts to keep these areas clean.
A spokesperson for NYC Parks noted that while trash receptacles are emptied at least once a day, those in more popular areas might receive service multiple times daily.
In response to the ongoing problem of illegal dumping, NYC Parks has increased penalties significantly, raising the fines from $1,000 to $5,000 for first offenses, along with additional sanctions for repeat violations.
Other city entities, including the NYC Department of Transportation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the MTA, also maintain trash cans across various areas, attempting to contribute to the city’s sanitation efforts.
As the Adams administration continues its battle against rat populations, DSNY has rolled out several initiatives to better manage trash, including regulations requiring that curbside waste be containerized. Furthermore, the mayor recently announced over $32 million in ongoing funding for DSNY to help maintain cleanliness in the city.
In the past, funding for cleanliness programs like litter basket services has been subject to annual uncertainty. However, the current funding approach aims to provide a stable financial foundation to ensure the cleanliness and quality of life in city neighborhoods for future generations.
As a testament to these efforts, last month, Manhattan Community Board 9 in West Harlem achieved 100% trash containerization, marking a significant milestone in the city’s ongoing cleanliness campaign.
image source from：amny
