Residents of New York City are growing increasingly frustrated with the mountain of garbage accumulating on the streets. This situation has worsened as sanitation services remain limited for over a week following a significant winter storm that dumped more than a foot of snow.
A reporter from the Post observed numerous trash bags and cardboard boxes left along sidewalks in various neighborhoods on Saturday night. Initially, it appeared the Department of Sanitation had made some progress in their cleanup efforts post-storm.
Frederick Ruddy, a 55-year-old Upper East Side resident, expressed his frustration by noting that an embankment of garbage near his home was “taller than a car.” He remarked, “It’s very dirty,” emphasizing that trash pickup had not occurred since the snowfall started last weekend.
Critiques weren’t just limited to residents; some voiced concern about the unsightly state of the city. One 61-year-old lamented that the scene reminded them of conditions from weeks prior, describing the trash as “so bad, so disgusting.”
Health officials announced a limited collection schedule was still in effect. New Yorkers were advised to continue placing their garbage at the curb as usual but were asked not to recycle. They warned that collection services would face delays while snow removal remained a priority.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health mentioned that they were dealing with “some delays” but were working hard to prioritize trash and composting. They had numerous collection trucks busy every day alongside ongoing snow removal tasks, asking for the community’s patience as they catch up.
However, many residents felt their patience was fading. Chris Kendall, a 38-year-old local, noted, “It’s very concerning,” and questioned why trash couldn’t be collected promptly, pointing out that public transport was still functioning and city operations were continuing.
Despite the complaints, some took a different view. An Upper East Side resident defended the sanitation department, noting that while the overflowing garbage is indeed unsightly, the staff had been busy the entire month dealing with multiple challenges.
In the Bronx, the situation was similar, with trash scattered along the Grand Concourse. A 51-year-old local highlighted that the mess had persisted for nearly three days, exacerbated by homeless individuals rummaging through bins for items.
“Every time it snows, things just seem to get worse,” said a member of Local 157, expressing concern over the impact of the trash on the community. Residents were doing their best to clean up, but many felt the city was not keeping up, particularly around the courthouse area.
The Upper West Side wasn’t spared either, with stacks of recycling bags piling up. Doorman Angel Martinez remarked that no trash had been collected since January 19, which was almost two weeks ago.
“It happens sometimes after big storms,” he observed, hoping for a quicker response from the sanitation department.
