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
- Cleaner parks and public spacesResident asks for cleaner parks and public spaces.2025–26City-wide
- Trash cans and crosswalk lights near schoolsAdd public trash cans and crosswalk lights on streets with schools to make neighborhoods cleaner and nicer.2025–26City-wide
- Improve cleanup and recycling activitiesResident asks for better cleanup and recycling activities to encourage neighbor participation.2025–26City-wide
- Free public bathrooms at T stopsThe resident asks for free public bathrooms at T stops.2025–26City-wide
- More bathrooms at public transit facilitiesThe resident asks for more bathrooms at public transit facilities because all kinds of people rely on the T.2025–26City-wide
- More public restroomsThe resident asks for more public restrooms.2025–26City-wide
- Free accessible public restroomsThe resident asks for free, accessible public restrooms.2025–26City-wide
- Public bathrooms at MBTA stationsThe resident asks for public bathrooms at MBTA stations to make the T more accessible for disabled people, pregnant people, children and others.2025–26City-wide
- Public bathrooms at T stations with health suppliesThe resident asks for public bathrooms at every T station stocked with sanitary products, naloxone, fentanyl test strips and condoms to support public health and prevent overdose deaths.2025–26City-wide
- 24/7 clean public restrooms near transitThe resident asks for clean, well-maintained public restrooms near transit, open 24/7, to benefit young people, older people, mothers and menstruating women.2025–26City-wide
- Free accessible restrooms by public transitThe resident asks for free, accessible restrooms near public transit.2025–26City-wide
- Public restrooms near public transitThe resident asks for public restrooms near transit because people otherwise must buy something at a private business, which affects lower-income people most.2025–26City-wide
- Free restrooms near public transitThe resident asks for more free restrooms, especially near public transit, so people don't have to pay to use toilet facilities.2025–26City-wide
- Public bathrooms near transitThe resident asks for public bathrooms near transit to meet a basic human need.2025–26City-wide
- More free 24/7 public bathroomsThe resident asks for more free, public restrooms that are open around the clock.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in French
- More public bathroomsResident asks the City to provide more public bathrooms.2025–26City-wide
- Free accessible public bathrooms near transitResident asks for free, accessible public bathrooms near public transit, to keep the city clean and serve unhoused people.2025–26City-wide
- Clean, accessible 24/7 transit restroomsResident asks for free, accessible, neat public restrooms at transit that are open 24/7.2025–26City-wide
- Free accessible 24/7 bathrooms near transitResident asks for free, accessible public bathrooms near transit that are open 24/7.2025–26City-wide
- More public restrooms near T stationsResident asks for more public restrooms, especially near T stations.2025–26City-wide