NYC Parks launches waste cleanup effort for city’s greenspaces

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) announced on Aug. 28 that it has started rolling out a new multi-pronged campaign to address excessive trash being left in parks across the city.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, NYC Parks says it has observed a significant increase in usage, evidenced by an exponential increase in the amount of trash left behind daily.

With a simple message, “Show your park some love, New York. Put trash in a bag or can—or take it with you,” NYC Parks looks to encourage New Yorkers to do their part to clean up the city’s greenspaces.

“Now more than ever, our parks and greenspaces are places of refuge, and we have been working hard despite the ongoing pandemic and budget reductions to keep them clean for all to enjoy,” NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver says. “We are urging all New Yorkers to help out by disposing trash in designated receptacles or take it with them when they leave.”

The anti-trash campaign includes NYC Parks-designed ads on the city’s free Wi-Fi network, LinkNYC, and in the city’s bus shelters. NYC Parks has also launched a PSA around the initiative. Ads will also be posted in grocery stores and park entrances, as well as barbecue and picnic areas across the city.

In addition to the new ads, NYC Parks announces it is creating more than 100 highly visible branded trash corrals at picnic and barbecue areas in heavily used parks. Staff will also continue to distribute trash bags to parkgoers to encourage them to dispose of refuse in receptacles, in the new corrals or take it out when they leave.

As part of the anti-trash campaign, NYC Parks is working with local elected officials and partner organizations to organize volunteer events to assist with the cleanup efforts. With volunteer initiatives to tackle trash in parks currently underway, NYC Parks is asking anyone interested in hosting or engaging in a volunteer cleanup to contact their local elected representative, friends group, or Partnerships for Parks.

Parks is supporting the campaign across its social media platforms.