Littering remains a notable issue on New York City streets, and recent data offers insight into who may be contributing most. A survey conducted by the Sanitation Foundation found that over one-third of New Yorkers admitted to littering. The behavior was most commonly reported among men aged 18 to 34 from the Bronx and Queens. As reported by The Post, respondents in this age group—comprising members of Gen Z and younger Millennials—cited reasons such as a lack of nearby trash cans and being in a hurry for discarding waste in public areas.
Many of those who admitted to frequently littering also viewed others who do the same as lazy and responsible for damaging New York’s image. Despite frustrations surrounding the issue, approximately 85% of survey participants—including those who acknowledged littering—expressed strong pride in being New Yorkers. The problem appears to be most pronounced in the Bronx and Queens, with Brooklyn receiving nearly 30,000 311 complaints about litter since January 2024, and Queens reporting similarly high figures, according to Gothamist.
The Sanitation Foundation's data, derived from surveying more than 1,000 people, suggests that the presence of trash cans might not be the one-stop solution to this rampant issue. While more than 20,000 litter baskets are scattered across the city, 2,700 requests for additional cans continue to roll in annually. Still, nearly 60% of those surveyed believe everyone shares the blame for the littered state of New York's streets and sidewalks.
Aiming to curb this unsightly problem, the Sanitation Foundation is rolling out the "Don't Do New York City Dirty" campaign. The campaign is designed to ignite New Yorkers' civic pride and motivate them to toss their trash responsibly. "The Don’t Do New York City Dirty campaign taps into what makes this city great—our fierce pride as New Yorkers. There’s a real disconnect when 83% of us say we love New York, yet nearly 4 in 10 admit to littering," the foundation disclosed to The Post. They believe that when the love for the city translates into action, the positive change will be both visible and potent.
