“As Chair, and as a collective body, we’re going to do what New Yorkers expect and deserve: Clean the Damn Streets!”

CITY HALL, NEW YORK CITY  —  Today, at New York City Council’s first Stated Meeting of the 2026-2029 term, Council Member Justin Sanchez was named Chair of Council’s Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management. He was also named to several high profile committees including Council’s Committees on Finance and Land Use.

As Chair of the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, Sanchez will oversee New York City’s waste and recycling systems, including residential and commercial trash collection, recycling and composting programs, street cleanliness, and the operation and regulation of waste transfer stations. The Committee will have oversight of policies related to litter enforcement, illegal dumping, sanitation worker safety, and zero-waste and sustainability initiatives.

Council Member Sanchez gained notoriety throughout the South Bronx when he launched his campaign forCouncil over a year ago with his four-word tagline: Clean The Damn Streets! The tagline was a product of community concerns and his own lived experience. His decision to take on litter and illegal dumping as a Council Member is based around a deep understanding that litter impacts community wellbeing beyond its aesthetic and contributes to community morale, public health, the local economy, and the environment. 

“I’m proud to be named Chair of the New York City Council’s Sanitation Committee, and I’m grateful to Speaker Julie Menin and my colleagues for placing their trust in me, just as my community has,” said Council Member Sanchez on the Council Floor, “As Chair, and as a collective body, we’re going to do what New Yorkers expect and deserve: Clean the Damn Streets!”

Earlier in the day, Council Member Sanchez had already started to make good on that promise while holding a press conference with officials from the New York Department of Sanitation announcing the installation of 60 new street trash cans across District 17. At the time of the event, committees were yet to be assigned. Photos and videos of the event are available upon request.

In addition to chairing the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, Council Member Sanchez will serve on several key committees that shape New York City’s budget, land use, infrastructure, public safety, and environmental priorities. 

“I am grateful to be entrusted with the responsibility that comes with each of these committee positions,” said Council Member Sanchez, “I look forward to using each position to advocate for residents of the South Bronx and driving decisions that determine how our city grows and how people experience their quality of life.”

The full list of Council Member Sanchez’s committee appointments are as follows: Environmental Protection and Waterfronts, Finance, Land Use, Public Safety, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Zoning and Franchises.

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