New York to Cut Sidewalk Trash Service by 40 Percent

Budget cuts will force the Department of Sanitation to cut sidewalk trash collection by nearly half.

1 minute read

January 4, 2024, 6:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up of green New York City public trash can with white text "Keep New York City Clean."

Kaesler Media / Adobe Stock

Edited January 4, 2024 to correct the headline and number of total sidewalk trash cans maintained by DSNY.

Despite the city’s ‘war on rats,’ New York City’s Department of Sanitation will have to cut its budget by 3 percent, meaning fewer trash cans on the city’s streets, reports Clio Chang in Curbed.

“Along with axing community composting programs and delaying brown bin pickup, the department will be reducing its sidewalk trash can collection service by 40 percent” of the city's total of 23,000 curbside trash baskets.

According to a DSNY spokesperson, “Given the choice, we would rather there be no litter basket on a corner than an overflowing basket.”

Tuesday, January 2, 2024 in Curbed

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A rendering of the park, with green grass and a bass sculpture that looks like several tall arches in a row.

40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park

The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.

15 minutes ago - Block Club Chicago

the New Mexico State capital building, made of orange clay

‘Hoodwinked:’ New Mexico bill aimed at microgrids paves way for data center development

In an interview with High Country News, Padilla said the legislation “ignited” New Mexico's economy.

1 hour ago - High Country News

Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at a Gun Safety Legislation Press Conference.

California’s ‘unrecognizable’ water plan may go down the drain

After four years of regulatory processes, water agencies say the plan to overhaul how cities and farms take water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has changed dramatically.

2 hours ago - Cal Matters