Grayson named DSNY commissioner

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Edward Grayson as the commissioner of the city of New York Department of Sanitation (DSNY) on Dec. 31. Grayson, a 21-year DSNY veteran, has served as acting commissioner since September.

“Edward Grayson has distinguished himself in his acting commissioner role this autumn and winter. He has brought energy, experience and passion for the agency’s mission to his role, and he has fully earned New Yorkers’ trust to keep our city clean and safe,” de Blasio says. “I’m proud to offer him this role on a permanent basis, and I look forward to working closely with him to build a fairer and better city.”

Sanitation work runs in Grayson’s blood: His father was a sanitation worker and supervisor, and his mother was recycling outreach coordinator during the rollout of the city's citywide recycling program in the 1990s.

"As we have seen in these few short months since stepping in as acting commissioner, Ed Grayson has the experience and dedication needed to lead ‘New York's Strongest,’" New York City Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin says. "Coming from a working-class family dedicated to public service, Ed knows the true meaning and dignity of serving this city. I look forward to continuing working alongside such a devoted public servant."

“Growing up in Ridgewood, everyone in my neighborhood had a plan for how they’d someday serve the people of New York, as so many of our parents did, including my own. As a sanitation worker, a supervisor, a superintendent, and a chief, I’ve been proud to do just that for the last 21 years,” Grayson says. “I want to thank Mayor de Blasio—and the men and women of this department—for the trust they have placed in me during these deeply challenging times. Together, we’ll keep the city safe and clean.”

Before serving as acting commissioner, Grayson was appointed four-star chief and director of the Bureau of Cleaning and Collection in September 2017.

As director, Grayson oversaw day-to-day operations for DSNY, including the collection, recycling and disposal of more than 12,000 tons of waste per day. He implemented new technologies to improve snow removal and reform front-line operations, according to DSNY, and he has been a leader in the department's implementation of the city's zero-waste goals.