It’s no secret that our city has been facing a growing trash crisisGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

In June, the decision was made to reduce the budget of the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) by an astounding 60 percent, nearly $106 millionGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. These cuts included garbage collections from sidewalk bins on weekdaysGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Combine this reduction in funds with millions home from work and school along with outdoor dining, and many sidewalks have become a public trash can for someGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Fortunately, many Astorians care about the state of their neighborhood and within the last year, a number of local organizations have formed to educate others about sustainability and reducing the problem of garbage and litterGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

One such organization is run by Astoria resident and New York native, Nicole GrossbergGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. In 2019, Grossberg founded the Zero Waste NYC Workshop, a monthly educational workshop series in partnership with Sanitation Foundation, the official non-profit of the DSNYGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“At our workshops, we talk about activism, community involvement, lifestyle changes, and all different topics around zero wasteGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Essentially, zero waste is lowering your impact on the planet, not producing excessive amounts of waste and cutting down on single-use items,” shared GrossbergGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

In addition to Zero Waste, Grossberg also works with the start-up, DeliverZero, which partners with restaurants to deliver food in reusable containersGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. DeliverZero is currently looking to work with restaurants in Astoria to alleviate the problem created from takeout containers, which account for approximately one billion items stored in the city’s landfillsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Volunteers have also played a huge role in the fight against the current crisisGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Proud Astorian was established in June 2020 by Kate Peterson, who was inspired to share images of Astoria that made Peterson proud to be a part of the communityGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“Toward the end of June, I got tired of seeing social media posts with pictures of overflowing garbage and litter around AstoriaGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. It felt like everyone wanted to complain and point fingers instead of working to find a solutionGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. I decided to try to tackle something specific like the street cans on 30th Avenue,” said PetersonGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Since then, Proud Astorian has gathered 100 volunteers, with designated weekly pick-ups and a partnership with the Astoria Park AllianceGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Additionally, Peterson has met with members of the City Council, DSNY, and the city Parks Department while connecting with businesses that have donated essential suppliesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Similarly, in August 2020, resident Sarah Abd Alfatah created the Astoria Blue CommunityGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. This organization gathers volunteers to help collect trash from sidewalks and streets on weekday evenings as well as weekendsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“Sidewalk cleaning has been stoppedGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. People working from home and outdoor dining have also increased litterGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. There’s so much stress on the businesses as wellGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. It’s time for us to take responsibility not to trash our streets,” said Abd AlfatahGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

What else can Astorians do? Kate Peterson recommends reporting such instances to 311 with photographic proofGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Peterson also advises business owners to place visible trash cans outside of their establishments to reduce the litter problemGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“[Elected officials] need to come up with a long-term plan of how we are going to manage waste in our cityGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. There is no indication our lives will look significantly different in the coming year from this new normal we are now experiencingGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Instead of responding reactively to issues only when they become dire, we need to think proactively,” Peterson statedGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

An example of this, according to Peterson, is funding for organizations such as the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless, where workers can be hired for pay to assist in effortsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

If you are interested in contacting the above organizations, be sure to follow them on Instagram: and Additionally, the Astoria Blue Community can be contacted via email at sarahGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.abdalfatah