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
- Free 24/7 public bathrooms at busy transit stationsResident asks the city to build free, clean, accessible, 24/7 public bathrooms with sanitary products and needle disposal on city-owned land near high-traffic transit stations.2025–26City-wide
- Public bathroom on the Southwest CorridorResident asks for a public bathroom along the Southwest Corridor so people, including families with children, can use a restroom without needing to buy something at a business.2025–26Jamaica Plain
- Park bathroom near tennis courts and picnic areaResident asks for a bathroom in the park near the tennis courts and picnic area so families, seniors, postpartum mothers and kids can comfortably spend time outdoors.2025–26Roxbury
- Reuse vacant buildings, clean public spaces, community safetyResident asks to reuse vacant buildings for parking or public space, clean up benches in parks and bus stops, support community safety groups, and hold cultural events that connect non-English-speaking residents to local resources.2025–26ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese
- More public restrooms accessible to everyoneResident asks for more public restrooms so people experiencing homelessness, tourists, parents, and seniors with incontinence can take part in public life.2025–26City-wide
- Public restrooms near transit stopsResident asks for public restrooms near transit stops, noting a real need among unhoused people that also benefits all residents.2025–26City-wide
- Free public restrooms near parks and transitResident asks for free public restrooms located near parks and transit stops.2025–26City-wide
- Free 24/7 accessible restrooms near public transitResident asks for more free, accessible restrooms near public transit that are open 24/7.2025–26City-wide
- More public bathrooms for all peopleResident asks for more public bathrooms as a necessary public service for everyone.2025–26City-wide
- Public restroomsResident asks for more public restrooms.2025–26City-wide
- More public restrooms near busy MBTA stationsThe resident asks for additional public restrooms near busy MBTA stations. No reason was given.2025–26City-wide
- Free, accessible 24/7 public restrooms near transitResident asks the city to build free or 25-cent public restrooms that are accessible, open 24/7, near transit, clean and stocked with sanitary products, so everyone can use them.2025–26City-wide
- More public bathroomsResident asks for more public bathrooms, giving no further detail.2025–26City-wide
- Funding for clean 24/7 public bathrooms near transitResident asks the City to fund more well-maintained 24/7 public bathrooms, ideally near transit, so everyone has access to safe, clean facilities while out in the city.2025–26City-wide
- More accessible public restroomsResident asks for more accessible public restrooms so people, especially kids and elders, stay outside longer, making the city safer and more vibrant and helping local businesses.2025–26City-wide
- Public bathrooms and lockers at parks and transit hubsResident asks for public bathrooms in parks and transit hubs, plus lockers at transit hubs for people traveling on foot, bike or the T, to support those with long commutes.2025–26City-wide
- More public restrooms, especially by playgroundsResident asks for more free, accessible public restrooms, especially near playgrounds, to help children, parents and unhoused people and keep public areas clean.2025–26City-wide
- Free 24/7 public restroomsResident wants more free public restrooms open 24/7, since most businesses require a purchase, which is costly for low-income people.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in French
- More trash cans and more frequent pickupsResident asks for more trash cans everywhere and more city workers to collect and replace bags, keeping underserved neighborhoods looking good and attracting businesses.2025–26City-wide
- More public restrooms in JP, Roxbury, DorchesterResident asks for more public restrooms in Jamaica Plain, Roxbury and Dorchester, focusing on basic access in underserved areas.2025–26City-wide