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
- Higher-grade trash containers to control ratsThe resident asks for better trash containers to address the rat problem, suggesting wealthier neighborhoods pay for their own, and calls it a health issue.2026–27City-wide
- Pilot lamp post brackets to elevate trash bagsThe resident proposes a pilot installing 100 brackets on lamp posts to hang trash bags above the sidewalk, to test whether this reduces rats, litter and complaints.2026–27City-wide
- Tools for residents to reduce rat populationsResident says the current rat approach is not working and asks the city to provide residents with a tool or item to help reduce rats.2026–27City-wide
- Portable toilets where homeless people gatherResident asks for porta potties in areas where homeless people gather, to maintain their dignity and residents' quality of life.2026–27City-wide
- Clean Park Street station entrances and exitsResident asks that the entrances and exits to Park Street red line station be cleaned one at a time, as they are dirty and a health concern.2026–27Downtown
- Programs to reduce trashResident asks for programs that help reduce trash.2026–27ChinatownSubmitted in Korean
- More trash cans and pickups in East BostonThe resident asks for more public trash receptacles near bus stops, stores and take-out spots in East Boston, with more frequent collection, since existing ones were removed.2026–27City-wide
- More rat-proof bins and education in AllstonThe resident asks for more trash bins and public education to address worsening rat problems in Allston.2026–27City-wide
- More trash cans in East BostonResident asks for more trash cans in East Boston.2026–27City-wide
- More public bathrooms open year-round, 24 hoursThe resident asks for more public bathrooms that stay open year-round and around the clock, so no one has to use a tree or sidewalk.2026–27City-wide
- Poison-free rat control in Lower AllstonResident asks for non-poison rodent mitigation in Lower Allston.2026–27Brighton
- Improve bathrooms at Copley LibraryResident asks for better bathrooms at the Copley Library near the plaza, since the library is one of few free public places to spend time.2026–27Back Bay
- Trash pickup and street cleaning in East BostonThe resident asks for trash pickup days and street cleaning in East Boston, saying there is a lot of trash in the streets and they are not being cleaned.2026–27City-wide
- Coastal and harbor trash cleanupThe resident asks for cleanup of trash in the harbor and sea, noting the coastal entrance area is full of waste and smells bad for pedestrians.2026–27East Boston
- Clean beachesThe resident asks for City spending on cleaning beaches.2026–27City-wide
- Clean cigarette butts and litter around treesResident asks for a program to clean cigarette butts and litter around trees to protect tree soil and prevent tree deterioration.2026–27City-wide
- Free trash cans for all residentsResident asks the city to provide free trash cans to residents, noting bags left on streets attract rats and animals that spread litter.2026–27City-wide
- Public restrooms for people to useThe resident asks for public restrooms that people can use.2026–27City-wide
- More trash cans, pickups and street sweeping in North EndThe resident says tourist volume overwhelms current trash receptacles and asks for more trash cans, more frequent pickup and dedicated street sweeping to keep the neighborhood clean.2026–27City-wide
- Eliminate ratsResident asks the City to get rid of rats.2026–27City-wide