Jackson Heights Life

This is not a rant but a compliment along with a suggestion.

There doesn't seem to be enough trash cans in the neighborhood. Maybe you'll find some on 37th Avenue but nothing on 34th or 35th. As a dog owner who does pick up you have to wonder what to do with the little package. I believe in keeping things clean, I live here. And I think more people would be conscious of "doggie bags" (or even making them!) and other forms of litter if they had a place to put it.

One very thoughtful super at the Jefferson (78-12 35th) leaves a large hefty bag on the railing by the side doors on 78th and 79th streets. We make sure to pass there on our walk. I've seen other dog walkers doing the same as well as people depositing other refuse while passing by.

THREE CHEERS FOR HIM! 

Now if other buildings would do the same perhaps the streets would be nicer and the super's job easier. Has anyone ever suggested this to their management or at their board meetings?

This is not a good solution to the problem.  The sewers are not for trash - they're for rainwater runoff.  The more pollutants we put into them, the more pollutants we ultimately put into our already-degraded waterways.  Please carry the little package to a nearby litter basket.

If a street corner that used to have a litter basket no longer has one, you can request one by calling 311 or you can do the same online.  It works - I have done it many times over the years.

For some reason, people occasionally take the metal baskets.  I think the Sanitation Dept. gets frustrated periodically when the trash is stuck in the basket and they toss the whole thing into the truck.

Not to veer too much off topic, but in regards to dog poops: Coral Aquariums Pet Store on Roosevelt sells little biodegradable baggies. I think they are about a 24 count for $3. I used to use plastic grocery bags (since they were free), but it made no sense to me to use a entire non-biodegradable bag to clean up 3 ounces of waste (my dog is small).

How come there are so little public recycling cans? It seems funny that residential units can get fined for not recycling, but the city doesn't do much to encourage people to do in public.

A city maintained corner can is intended for pedestrian use only. So I guess anything more than a lunch bag is suspect, but I don't assume what people walk around with. Most cans have a notice of a $100 fine for other useage, but of course it can't be monitored.

I do know however of a situation where a store left it's trash at one of those cans and they were fined.

that's an interesting article, Shelby, but as it points out, while it eliminates one type of garbage -- household -- it does create another -- candy wrappers and such. It would be interesting to see the results of this experiment.

In our neighborhood, I feel many people just don't care and throw small stuff -- cigarette packs, parking tickets, etc. -- on the street. I've made it a practice when I see someone do it to approach them and say nicely "Excuse me, you dropped something." Surely, they may be throwing it out again behind me but at least I bring attention to the issue. On the other hand, I also notice that garbage cans on Roosevelt are full and overflowing on the weekend, which does mean that people are using them as they pass by.