In a city where walking is as integral to daily life as the skyscrapers that define its skyline, millions of New Yorkers traverse the concrete jungle every day. Whether heading to work, the grocery store, or a popular restaurant, pedestrians and cyclists alike navigate the bustling streets of this global hub of diversity. For those who aren’t among the millions making their way on foot or by bicycle, public transit serves as a crucial component of city travel. Given the high volume of daily foot traffic and cycling throughout New York City, maintaining safety and cleanliness is paramount, and the city’s sanitation workers play a critical role in ensuring that the streets remain safe and navigable.
This past Thursday, the city was illuminated by the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, a spectacle that has become a hallmark of New York City’s summer festivities. Spanning from 47th Street to Houston Street along the Hudson River, this year’s display was a breathtaking visual celebration. However, the Fourth of July in New York City is not just about the grand fireworks. It is a citywide celebration, with rooftop parties, packed venues, and neighborhood gatherings contributing to the vibrant festivities. As the city lit up with Independence Day cheer, it was evident that the revelry extended beyond just one location.
Yet, as the night turned to early morning and the celebrations gradually came to a close, the city’s sanitation workers began their essential work. While many were off to sleep after a night of July 4th libations, scores of these dedicated workers silently moved through the city, tirelessly cleaning up the remnants of the previous night’s festivities. Their mission was clear: to ensure that New York City would wake up to clean streets and safe travel conditions.
“The city looks like the event never happened, which is always a good thing,” said Jeff Pitts, the city’s chief of cleaning operations with the Department of Sanitation. “With one of the biggest parties, comes the biggest cleanup.” This sentiment highlights the scale of the cleanup effort required after such a large-scale celebration. Unlike other major city events like the iconic New Year’s Eve festivities in Times Square, which are relatively contained, the Fourth of July involves the entire city. From Macy’s grand fireworks display to beach outings and rooftop parties, the breadth of the celebration necessitates an equally extensive cleanup operation.
Sanitation workers are deployed across the city to tackle the aftermath of the festivities. Armed with a range of tools and equipment, these workers comb through the streets, collecting bottles, cans, and other litter left behind by the revelers. According to Pitts, after this year’s Fourth of July celebrations, it took approximately 100 sanitation workers between two to three hours to sweep through the city’s thoroughfares. They were equipped with 18 mechanical brooms, 12 reloader collection trucks, and about 50 manual brooms to manage the cleanup. Their efforts resulted in the collection of approximately 50,800 pounds of trash, a significant amount aimed at ensuring that drivers and cyclists would not face hazards from leftover debris.
While the fireworks and celebrations have come and gone, the Department of Sanitation is already looking ahead to the next major holiday: Halloween. This forward planning is crucial for maintaining the city’s cleanliness and safety during festive times. “We’re like the silent heroes because no one really sees what we do,” Pitts remarked. “They party—which we want them to do, we want them to enjoy the night—they leave and we take care of the rest. And in a matter of hours? You’ll never even know that there was a party that took place.”
In essence, the sanitation workers’ efforts are often unnoticed, yet they are fundamental to keeping New York City running smoothly and safely. Their dedication ensures that despite the scale of the celebrations, the city remains clean and accessible for everyone, reflecting the city’s commitment to both celebration and cleanliness.
