NYC’s 2025 Big Spring Clean: 3,500 Volunteers, 12,000 Pounds of Trash, One Cleaner City
This spring, New Yorkers proved once again that when it comes to showing up for their city, there’s no shortage of heart — or hustle.
The Big Spring Clean wasn’t just a series of events — it was a citywide movement powered by people who care deeply about where they live. Students led their peers, neighbors teamed up with strangers, council members rolled up their sleeves alongside volunteers, and local organizations activated entire blocks for cleanups.
What started as a cleanup became something bigger: a moment of pride, purpose, and shared ownership of our city’s future. It was a reminder that New Yorkers don’t just talk about change — we make it happen, together.
A True Citywide Movement
This year’s Big Spring Clean brought together a dynamic cross-section of New York — from schools and community groups to local elected officials, corporate volunteers, and sanitation champions of all ages.
Cleanups were hosted everywhere from Bed-Stuy to the Bronx, Flushing to Flatbush, Harlem to the Rockaways. Events ranged from Earth Day activations and neighborhood revitalizations to volunteer-powered sanitation hubs near public housing complexes and high-foot-traffic corridors.
Quotes from the field tell the story best:
“It was a beautiful day full of community and action!” — @dogsofmh
“This was a great event. We look forward to participating next year.” — @HarlemCleanUp
“It was a wonderful experience having so many people interested in making their community cleaner.” — @coronamutualaid
Real Impact, Real Stories
Here’s what the numbers looked like:
3,500+ volunteers across all five boroughs
150+ cleanups organized in parks, school zones, playgrounds, sidewalks, and intersections
12,000+ pounds of litter removed from public spaces
Countless moments of joy, pride, and civic action
At one cleanup on 28th Street, the Block Improvement Association noted the range of people who showed up to help — from neighbors experiencing homelessness to students from Riley’s Way Foundation who found out about the event through the NYC Department of Sanitation website. “People asked if we could do this event more often,” said organizer Edith Meyer.
At another event organized by Projekt NYC, a high school-led cleanup not only drew dozens of teens but also received local media coverage. The organization, which uses civic engagement as a tool for youth leadership, helped empower students to take real ownership of their surroundings.
“Students were proud to take ownership of their neighborhood,” one teacher shared. “They even got other teens to sign up for the next one.”
The result? A ripple effect of youth-led action, proving that when young people are given the opportunity and tools to lead, they show up — and bring others with them.
A Special Shoutout
Community Groups
Harlem Clean Up
Corona Mutual Aid
Dogs of Mott Haven
Astoria Mutual Aid
28th Street Block Improvement
The LES Cleanup Crew
Chinatown Cleanup Corps
East Flatbush Community Partnership
Bronx is Blooming
Keep Rockaway Beautiful
Uptown Grand Central
Lower East Side Ecology Center
Schools & Youth Programs
Riley’s Way Foundation
New York City Public Schools
Brooklyn Collaborative
PS 89
Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS)
Bronx Academy of Letters
Bard High School Early College Queens
Council Members & Elected Officials
CM Menin (D5)
CM Rivera (D2)
Corporate Partners
Target
Bloomberg
International Center of Photography
NYC Service
EY, PwC, Deloitte, KPMG
Skanska
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
And of course, none of this could happen without the ongoing support and collaboration of the New York City Department of Sanitation and our incredible colleagues at the Sanitation Foundation.
What’s Next?
The reviews are in — and the message is loud and clear: New Yorkers want more.
Whether you joined us for the first time or you’re a longtime cleanup champion, we’re not done yet. The momentum from the Big Spring Clean rolls right into our Bronx Summer Cleanup Series (launching July 12!) and other community activations throughout the year.
If you’re interested in getting involved or hosting your own cleanup, visit:
Your Support Makes Cleanups Possible
None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors and partners. Every cleanup, supply kit, student-led initiative, and community moment is fueled by contributions from people who believe in a cleaner, more connected New York City. Your donations directly fund tools, trash bags, safety gear, and the coordination needed to make these events happen — block by block, borough by borough. If you believe in the power of public space and community action, consider supporting the Sanitation Foundation today. Together, we can keep this movement growing.