First came a foot of snow. Then came the plowed-in cars. Now, in Mayor Mamdani’s New York, residents are dealing with something even less charming: piles of garbage stacking up on city streets as sanitation services struggle to catch up after January’s major winter storm.
A New York Post reporter documented what were politely described as “unsavory sights,” with garbage bags and cardboard boxes lining sidewalks in multiple neighborhoods. The Department of Sanitation is still playing catch-up weeks after the storm, and New Yorkers are not exactly known for their patience when trash starts competing with parked cars for space.
Snowplows haven’t helped matters, dumping thick banks of dirty snow against curbside vehicles. Actor Michael Rapaport highlighted that issue in a video posted on X, showing a car boxed in by snow and joking, “This poor bastard ain’t getting out until the Spring.” In Mamdani’s city, winter apparently comes with a side of permanent parking.
Garbage, though, is the bigger frustration. One Upper East Side resident said a mound of trash near his block towers “higher than a car.” Frederick Radie, 55, told the Post that garbage had gone uncollected since the first snowfall last weekend. “It’s very dirty,” he said. “Actually, we have people visiting, and it’s a little embarrassing.” His partner, Mirys Rosa, wasn’t impressed with the mayor’s call for patience. “This was like two weeks ago,” she said, calling the situation “so gross, it’s disgusting.”
The Department of Sanitation insists it is working through “slight delays.” A spokesperson said crews are prioritizing trash and composting and running hundreds of collection trucks each day in addition to snow operations, asking New Yorkers to stick to their regular schedules and be patient while the city catches up.
Not everyone is buying it. “It’s very concerning,” said Chris Kendal, 38. He noted that recycling normally picked up on Monday was still sitting there by Saturday. “I don’t know why they can’t pick it up,” he added. “Buses are still running, and the city is still operating.”
So in Mamdani’s New York, residents are learning that winter storms don’t just bring snow—they bring weeks of garbage too. Still, city officials say the trucks are rolling and the cleanup is underway. And if there’s one thing New Yorkers know how to do, it’s endure chaos and complain loudly until it gets fixed. With enough pressure and a little accountability, even mountains of trash can disappear—eventually.
