Most New Yorkers think littering is a problem, but many still do it: Report

The Brief

  • According to a new survey, 83% of New Yorkers say littering is a problem, but 38% admit they don’t always dispose of trash properly, and only 29% say they’ve never littered.
  • The survey by the Sanitation Foundation says many people who litter say they did it due to a lack of trash cans nearby, being in a hurry or that the item was very small.
  • Solutions suggested by residents include more trash cans, stricter enforcement, and public education campaigns.

NEW YORK A new survey finds that while most New Yorkers say they care about litter and take pride in their city, a significant number still admit to tossing trash improperly.

The data comes from a March 2025 survey of over 1,000 city residents conducted by the non-profit Sanitation Foundation.

What we know:

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