Trash is piling up on Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, teetering on the edge of a garbage can in Forest Hills and completely spilling over in Astoria. Residents say it’s not just an eyesore — it’s a health concern.

What You Need To Know

  • It’s been a little over a month since the Department of Sanitation was forced to slash $106 million from its budget

  • Corner baskets are no longer picked up on Sundays. By Monday, trash is piling up on many street corners across the city

  • DSNY spokesman said the city is more reliant than ever on partnerships with residents and businesses to keep the city clean

“Especially in the summer, trash is going to build up and smell. And just in general, we don’t want to see it,” said Peter Maroudas, an Astoria resident. "It’s a pandemic. So the general safety and health is what I’m most concerned about.”

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) was forced to cut $106 million from its operating budget in June. According to the DSNY, the corner trash baskets will no longer be picked up on Sunday, and there will be fewer trucks making pickups on weekends and holidays. In an interview with NY1 last month, Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia called the service reductions really difficult choices.

"It makes it so we’re much more dependent on the partnership we have with residents and businesses to help keep this city clean,” said Garcia.

Last week on Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica, one Good Samaritan was overwhelmed.

“Nothing but garbage,” said the Jamaica resident.
 


The man didn’t want to share his name, but identified himself as the super of a nearby building. He said he does his part by cleaning up the garbage that overflows onto the street corner every morning.

“You got a lot of people out here that don’t have no jobs. And you have the sanitation department that has a city job. I mean, if you want people to clean up with the city, pay them. I mean, I don’t mind getting paid to clean up the garbage, ‘cause I do it everyday,” he said.
 


In a statement, a DSNY spokesman said, in part, “Now, more than ever, we rely on the partnership of our fellow New Yorkers – residents and businesses alike – to keep our City clean.”

He added that all property owners have a responsibility by law to keep their sidewalks and gutter areas clean — this extends 18 inches into the street. 
 


The DSNY also reminded New Yorkers that litter baskets are meant for things like coffee cups and candy wrappers, not household trash.

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