Trash Me

Before I type anything else about my visit to New Orleans, this must be said: Big Easy Mayor C. Ray Nagin was absolutely right. Philadelphia is the dirtier city.

Now, this observation does not include the still-recovering east and north wards of the city, where it appears as if the devastation of Hurricane Katrina happened just months ago rather than years. But in regards to the French Quarter, Warehouse and Garden Districts and the Central Business District, New Orleans is an incredibly clean, responsible city.

Unlike Philadelphia, where just this morning I watched a teenager nonchalantly toss a McDonald’s bag on the sidewalk, New Orleans’ citizens appeared more interested in preservation, an attitude largely responsible for the clean environment. There were so many little things I rarely see in Philadelphia, such as a parent lifting her child so that he could reach a trash bin, or, a group of teenagers, after lounging by the river, taking their garbage with them to a bin just a few feet away. The mentality seemed to reach tourists too, as a couple – one with a map in his back pocket – asked about recycling while holding what looked like a day’s worth of empty water bottles. These small acts of responsibility were countless, not to mention encouraging, as civic pride is a necessary part of the rebuilding process and maintains the city’s character.

Of course, this mentality was aided by the city itself, with no shortage of trash cans throughout the town. Along high-traffic areas, like the Riverwalk, below, and Jackson Square, trash cans were available every 50 feet, making responsibility a breeze.

In less-central neighborhoods and suburbs, like Carrollton, below, proper waste management was promoted, with ad campaigns, recycling options and brightly-colored trash receptacles on every street.

It was difficult to find litter. I struggled to find litter. City employees (and a private group which I’ll discuss later) could be spotted across the city, carting away full cans, collecting recycling and picking up cigarette butts just a minute after being flicked.

After talking with residents, it seems as if those neighborhoods I didn’t spend much time in saw the same action. Mark, a lifelong resident, praised the city’s responsiveness in dealing with the removal of construction debris. And illegal dumping? Not much of an issue, particularly when businesses are constantly encouraged to partner with commercial waste management groups, and with an applauded removal team. While residents do have their share of complaints, litter and the city’s capacity to control it certainly isn’t an issue.

New Orleans has me encouraged. Despite the recent tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, the city has been rebounding, and in regards to waste management and the litter issue I was stunned to find the city in such sterling condition. The streets and sidewalks were clean, the citizens proudly putting trash in its place, and the city providing ample opportunities to keep beautification strong.

But it was the effort for the city’s busiest attraction that had me most impressed. Bourbon Street sees thousands of visitors each night, despite the season, weather or day of the week. With the street closed to traffic and visitors permitted to carry beverages from bar to bar, the sheer amount of people causes excess and uncontrollable waste: each night piles of wrappers, cups, cans and beads collected on the street, a terrible aroma could be detected by 3 a.m., and the end result was reminiscent of the mess seen after Live 8 on the Ben Franklin Parkway.

So you can imagine my surprise when, at 7 a.m. the following morning, it was gone.

Cleaning crews work continuously during the night and amidst the foot traffic, sweeping and cleaning until dawn. Pictured below, Bourbon Street was spotless, without a trace of the previous night’s activities, a clear example of the dedication the city puts forth to maintaining a cleanly appearance.

This attention to cleanliness shows that New Orleans is doing what is in the city’s power to keep both attractions and neighborhoods alike clean. Tourism is so important to the city, and the effort on Bourbon Street is one of the reasons it’s on the rise again in the Big Easy. Tourists in turn keep New Orleans’ economy stable, fueling jobs and revenue for more rebuilding projects and bringing more national attention to the city’s needs: while litter responsibility isn’t the sole reason New Orleans is recovering, it certainly contributes.

My next post will look into the company largely responsible for keeping the city so clean. According to residents, it took the assistance of this commercial waste management group to spark the litter turn-around.

Looking back, it was easy for New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin to gloat about his city’s cleanliness versus our own: he has Sidney Torres.

Sidney Torres IV is the founder of the waste and debris management company keeping the Big Easy clean, SDT Waste and Debris Services. SDT, based in New Orleans and hired by the city in January, 2007 to manage litter in the French Quarter, has spread across the city, aggressively removing the lower wards’ blight and replacing it with its own mark.

And yes, STD’s mark is everywhere. Trucks bearing the initials and logo rumbled down the streets, rolling 24-hours with crews that moved more like a SWAT team unit than garbage men. Every block featured its brand, whether on trash cans, service vehicles or employees with brooms and power-washers in hand.

But STD takes to the litter issue with more than physical removal; a strong ad campaign can be spotted on billboards and on TV, promoting a responsible attitude for both residents and tourists. The company’s promotions and accomplishments have residents talking and tourists gawking; the city is still rebuilding, and with wards still in dire need of assistance and attention the work is far from over, but STD’s efforts have made a noticeable and unanticipated difference in the wards it does manage. NOLA natives boast about Sidney Torres, as there was no hesitation when asked. One resident pointed out that all trash cans have a customer service number, and, if called, “you only call once, because they move that fast.”

I think it’s that respect for the company that makes it so successful. I can’t remember when I’ve heard similar praise here in Philadelphia – and if Sidney Torres ever wishes to branch north I feel we should certainly entertain the man. After all, he has handled New Orleans remarkably and his company has citizens satisfied, and, and to our chagrin, has given Mayor Nagin the opportunity to gloat.

...and catch a litterer in the act. Broadcasting live in Center City this morning, Fox 29 News’ camera was focusing on the site of one of last night’s shootings. Pulling away in the distance a red SUV, and its driver tossing a wrapper out the window.

Being the ever-so-diligent news group, I think Fox 29 News can spare a copy of a tape from this morning’s Good Day Philadelphia, submit it to the Streets Department and have this litter bug identified and fined.

From a reader:

I wanted to follow up on your recent Inquirer blog entitled “I’m with Mayor Nagin, and notes from New Orleans,” especially as it pertained to the effectiveness of trash cans to reducing litter. Please see the email, below, which I sent recently to Mayor Nutter’s constituent support department.

I recently moved from the suburbs into South Philadelphia to be closer to my job in Center City. I enjoy living in the City, yet I am appalled by the amount of trash in the streets. (I sweep my own block about once a week, and pick up between 1-3 bags of garbage. My block is as clean as a hospital compared to the 700-900 block of Snyder Avenue.) In an address to the Philadelphia Bar Association on March 17, which I attended, Mayor Nutter said that the City must attract people like me (young professionals) from the suburbs. Yet if this trash problem is not corrected, I will go right back.

-David

I agree with David. Retaining and attracting this “target demographic,” young professionals, will depend on the City’s ability to respond to living issues like this. Unlike other residents, David’s and my constituency, the 24 – 30-year olds, have the flexibility to relocate if the situation remains the same. Whether that’s abandoning one neighborhood for another or leaving Philadelphia entirely, losing the young and dedicated is something that cannot be afforded if the city wants to compete with other world-class locations.

For other young professionals frustrated with the litter issue, what is your tipping point?