NYC Parks announced it started rolling out a new multi-pronged campaign this week to address excessive trash being left in parks across the city. With a simple message – show your park some love, New York. Put trash in a bag or can—or take it with you – Parks looks to encourage New Yorkers to do their part.
“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, ” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “We are urging all New Yorkers to help out by disposing trash in designated receptacles, or taking it with them when they leave.”
The anti-trash campaign includes Parks-designed ads on LinkNYC–currently in market–and city bus shelters, and a PSA. Ads will also be posted in grocery stores and park entrances, and barbeque and picnic areas across the city.
In addition to the new ads, Parks is creating 100+ highly visible branded trash corrals at picnic and barbeque 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 out when they leave.
As part of the anti-trash campaign, Parks is working with local elected officials and partner organizations to stand up volunteer events to assist with the cleanup efforts. Several elected officials have already started volunteer cleanups including borough presidents Rubén Díaz Jr. and Eric Adams, council members Justin Brannan, Francisco Moya, and many more. With volunteer initiatives to tackle trash in parks currently underway, 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.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Parks has observed a significant increase in usage, evidenced by an exponential increase in the amount of trash left behind daily.
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