Clean streets & restrooms
Consistent priorityTrash, litter, rodent control and public restrooms so neighborhoods are clean and basic hygiene needs are met.
Residents consistently ask for more public trash cans, rat-proof waste containers, regular street cleaning and free, clean public restrooms in every neighborhood.
Theme grouped and summary written with AI from this theme's resident ideas.
276 ideas across three cycles
| Cycle | Ideas | Share of all ideas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 62 | 5.1% | 9 of 20 |
| 2025–26 | 147 | 12.2% | 1 of 20 |
| 2026–27 | 67 | 5.1% | 9 of 20 |
Needs that keep coming back
More public trash cans and pickups
Residents want more public trash cans, emptied more often, especially near bus stops, restaurants, parks and in neighborhoods they feel are underserved.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Rat control and rat-proof trash storage
Residents link rats to trash left on streets and ask for enclosed or rat-proof bins, trash cans for small buildings, and targeted control in places like Allston.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Public restrooms
Residents ask for more free, clean, accessible public restrooms in parks, near transit and in neighborhoods with none, so no one has to buy something to use a toilet.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
More frequent street cleaning and cleanup staff
Residents ask for more frequent sweeping and for paid or volunteer crews to clear litter from streets and sidewalks.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Education on litter, recycling and pet waste
Residents ask for awareness programs and workshops that teach neighbors how to dispose of trash properly, recycle and pick up after pets.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
2024–25
Ideas covered a broad mix of trash cans, rat control, public bathrooms, and cleanup, including rat birth control pilots, trash barrels for small buildings, and some requests for public showers.
2025–26
Public restrooms dominated this cycle: well over a hundred ideas asked for free, clean, 24/7 bathrooms near transit stations, and many Chinatown residents asked for a restroom at the gate.
2026–27
Ideas turned to how trash is stored and collected, including shared or street-side bins in East Boston, the North End and the South End, along with more street cleaners in Chinatown and a smaller number of restroom requests.
New in 2026–27
New or growing asks include NYC-style shared or containerized trash bins and street-side storage for homes without space, plus beach and harbor cleanup, poison-free rat control, and Chinatown street cleaning staffing.
Funding so far
The 2024-25 rat prevention winner addresses the recurring rodent and waste-management ask, but no winning project yet covers public restrooms, more public trash cans, street cleaning crews, or litter and recycling education.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
Rat Prevention Initiatives in Dense Residential Areas
2024–25 · $500,000
This proposal aims to tackle rodent infestations in identified hotspots by improving waste management practices and reducing food access for rats.
Departments that often lead this work
- Public Works
- Boston Public Health Commission
- Parks & Recreation
Suggested with AI; not an official assignment of responsibility.
Ideas in Clean streets & restrooms
276 ideas
2024–25: 62 · 2025–26: 147 · 2026–27: 67
- Public bathrooms in all T stationsResident asks for public bathrooms to be provided in all MBTA stations.2026–27City-wide
- Trash cleanup on Canterbury Lane and Morton rampClean up trash on part of Canterbury Lane and on the Morton Street ramp off American Legion Highway to improve appearance for drivers.2026–27Jamaica Plain
- Invest more in city sanitationIncrease investment in city sanitation.2026–27RoxburySubmitted in Korean
- Public restrooms in parks and public areasInstall public restrooms, especially in parks, so residents do not have to buy something in a store just to use a restroom.2026–27City-wide
- Campaign to keep sidewalks clean of trashCommunicate with homeowners, renters and businesses about pride in their community and incentivize them to clean sidewalks, to show respect for the neighborhood.2026–27Dorchester
- Keep birds out of indoor T stationsFind a way to keep birds out of indoor T stations so cleaning crews are not constantly removing droppings, since people use the stations as warm refuge in winter.2026–27City-wide
- More street trash cans to reduce litterAdd more trash cans, since they are currently only every couple of blocks and littering results; the cans could also carry local business ads or artist designs.2026–27City-wide
- Street-side trash storage for East Boston rowhousesThe resident asks for street-side rat-safe trash storage spots on East Boston blocks with many rowhouses, helping older residents and young families who lack safe space to store trash.2026–27East Boston
- Citywide rat control, especially in AllstonThe resident asks for stronger rat control citywide, especially in Allston, such as new trash cans or a rat czar, so people can walk at night without encountering rats.2026–27City-wide
- Improve recycling resourcesThe resident asks the City to improve recycling resources, with no further detail or reason given.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Korean
- Cleaner beaches and public spacesPrioritize cleaning and improving Boston's beaches and public spaces so residents, especially in Black and Brown communities, have safe, comfortable places.2026–27City-wide
- Address littering in public placesTackle littering because uncleaned places become unwelcoming and people avoid them.2026–27City-wide
- Clean & Green Boston initiativeReduce litter and graffiti, add native landscaping for flood resilience, and improve bus stops and bicycle amenities, focusing on underserved neighborhoods.2026–27City-wide
- More trash cans to reduce litteringAdd more trash cans around the city to reduce littering.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Korean
- Shared trash collection points for homes without storageResident asks for shared trash collection points where properties cannot store bins, to keep sidewalks clear for disabled and older neighbors and reduce litter.2026–27East Boston
- Public trash cans on Heath and Centre StreetsResident asks for public trash cans along major streets like Heath St and Centre St in underserved communities to reduce litter and rat food sources.2026–27Mission Hill
- More Chinatown trash cans and cleanupResident asks for more trash cans, cleaning staff and pickups in Chinatown, plus outreach to shops on waste sorting and reminding customers not to litter.2026–27ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese
- Chinatown restrooms, road repair and greeneryResident asks for public restrooms, repair of damaged roads and sidewalks, more greenery and better upkeep in Chinatown for a cleaner, safer neighborhood.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Chinese
- Chinatown cleanliness, senior food and rent aidResident asks for more Chinatown trash cans and cleaning, food vouchers and fresh produce subsidies for seniors 60+, and rental assistance for seniors to prevent displacement.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Chinese
- Public restrooms and sidewalk repairResident asks for improved neighborhood sanitation, more public restrooms, and repair of broken, uneven sidewalks to make public space cleaner, safer and more convenient.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Chinese