New York’s Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is launching its first major anti-littering campaign in 15 years – and it is pulling no punches. “It’s brash and it’s bold and it speaks to New Yorkers in the language that we all speak,” said DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch according to CBS New York.
“New Yorkers have had enough of litter, enough of filth on our sidewalks, and enough of feeling like there’s nothing they can do about it,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement.
“This administration has committed to ‘Get Stuff Clean,’ and our strategy is working, but we need everyone to do their part, and that’s what this campaign is all about.”
We’re shaming “garbage” New Yorkers, specifically litterers and dog-poopetrators, in our new work with @NYCSanitation, the first major anti-littering campaign by DSNY in at least 15 years. https://t.co/jcYekP7Eda
— VMLY&R (@VMLYR) April 10, 2023
The new campaign comes after last year when city officials introduced a new garbage collection policy to crack down on a growing rat population.
“Every day, [New Yorkers] see rats in their streets, playgrounds, subways and even homes. This is not Ratatouille. Rats are not our friends,” said New York City Council Member Shaun Abreu at a press conference.
The ad campaign was designed pro bono in a collaboration with VMLY&R.
In a tweet, the agency said “We’re shaming “garbage” New Yorkers, specifically litterers and dog-poopetrators.”
