City Launching Three ‘Spring Cleaning’ Programs

In an effort to maintain clean streets in New York City, the Department of Sanitation will expand litter programs, in a reversal of pandemic-induced cuts.

“It is time for spring cleaning in New York City,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at his press conference on Tuesday. “I’ve seen first-hand the work of the Department of Sanitation throughout this pandemic, and I know they’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done. ”

The programs will include increasing litter basket emptying by an additional hundred trucks a week dedicated to trash pickup, and restore funding for pickup  weekend services.

The second will create ‘Precision Cleaning Initiative’ in each borough, with borough-based teams tackling egregious littering, illegal trash disposals, and overflowing public garbages. The teams will respond to 311 calls and community group directions.

The third will involve a ‘Community Clean-up Van’ which will travel the city, aiding neighborhoods that are participating in local cleanups.

“New York City is getting back on its feet, and New Yorkers deserve to place their feet on clean streets,” said Edward Grayson,  the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation. “Restoration of baseline funding for basket service, the community clean-up van, and PCI mean more ways for Sanitation and our neighbors across the City to work together.”

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smarcus@hamodia.com