July 15, 2019

Initiative Aims to Improve Cleanliness and Aesthetics of City Beaches by Reducing Littering on Streets and in Parks

Photos are Available on DEP’s Flickr Page

The New York City Departments of Environmental Protection, Sanitation, and Parks joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today in Coney Island to launch “Clean Streets = Clean Beaches”, a public information campaign and beach clean-up program aimed at reducing littering and improving the cleanliness and aesthetics of New York City beaches. When it rains, trash and debris discarded on city streets and sidewalks can be washed down storm drains and end up on beaches. This summer, “Clean Streets = Clean Beaches” posters will be displayed at area beaches and on approximately 5,000 Sanitation vehicles citywide. The program was launched at MCU Park in Coney Island, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones.

“From Orchard Beach in the Bronx to Cedar Grove Beach on Staten Island, New Yorkers flock to the City’s beaches during the summer,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “We encourage all New Yorkers to do the right thing and put their trash where it belongs – in a litter basket.”

“Clean streets are vital to clean beaches,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “Litter on the street today can get washed away and end up on the beach tomorrow. I’m thankful to our partners at the EPA, DEP and Parks for helping bring attention to the Clean Streets = Clean Beaches campaign. Together, along with all city residents, we can help keep New York City healthy, safe and clean.”

“Our beaches are treasured assets, and keeping our waters clean and our sand pristine is a top priority,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver. “Through our collaboration with DSNY, DEP, EPA, and the Brooklyn Cyclones we are cleaning our streets to reduce litter on our beaches. This partnership improves the environment and the quality of life for millions of New Yorkers who flock to our shores every summer.”

“EPA is excited to continue its partnership with New York City to promote the Clean Streets = Clean Beaches campaign,” said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. “Protecting the environment and our quality of life starts at home. We want to let every New Yorker and visitor know they can play an important part in reducing the impacts of trash on wildlife and our community beaches.”

All New Yorkers are encouraged to participate in the many volunteer cleanups taking place across the five boroughs. To find a listing of cleanup and other events, visit Parks and Recreation Volunteer Events.

The “Clean Streets = Clean Beaches” campaign began in the early 1990s to highlight the link between litter on the streets and trash found on area beaches. The 2019 program will utilize an informational poster with the slogan “don’t mess up summer” for display at area beaches as well as on Department of Sanitation fleet vehicles, which include approximately 450 mechanical brooms that sweep litter from more than 6,000 miles of streets per day. Additionally, the Department services more than 25,000 litter baskets daily.

DEP regularly inspects and cleans approximately 148,000 catch basins city-wide, which trap litter before it can make its way into the sewer line. DEP operates and maintains 23 booms and nets that drain over 60,000 acres and 58 sewer outfalls. These nets are serviced by four specialized skimmer vessels that collect trash and other debris that makes it through the catch basins, including wood, plastic, metal, rubber, and glass, before it enters local waterways. The total amount of trash and debris collected by the boom and skim program has dropped by 75 percent since 2010. DEP has also built litter control devices within sewer outfalls along the Bronx River, the Gowanus Canal, and Newtown Creek that use hydraulic bar screens and nylon netting systems to capture litter before it can pollute the waterways. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.