On Wednesday, May 10th, Borough President James S. Oddo announced “Own the 18,” a new anti-litter program. “Own the 18” will encourage home and business owners to remove litter from their property, as well as 18 inches into the street, as required by NYC Administrative Code: Section 16-118(2)(a).
During the weekend of June 18 (June 16-18), BP Oddo is asking Staten Island property and business owners to commit to taking a few moments to clean in front of their properties. Those who participate can post before and after photos on social media with the hashtag #ownthe18 to be reposted by the office’s social media accounts.
“This is our latest initiative to push back against a litter problem that continues to be out of control,” noted BP Oddo. “We are picking one weekend, June 16-18, and asking all property owners to actively clean up the sidewalk and 18 inches into the street. This should be happening every day, but the reality is that it isn’t. We are hoping that by having a call to arms for one weekend, we can educate property owners about the 18 inch law and enlist more Staten Islanders in this battle. Our litter problem is a self-inflicted one that Staten Islanders are doing to other Staten Islanders. We can’t blame historic inequities or anyone else for it. I know the majority of Staten Islanders are not engaging in it, but we need the majority to help us with the solution. Ultimately, we have a legal and moral obligation to clean in front of our properties. We are not looking to lead with the summons book, but we want to challenge as many Staten Islanders as possible to join us on the weekend of June 16, 17, and 18 and beyond.”
“Like Borough President Oddo and many other Staten Islanders, I am sickened by the amount of litter I see dumped on our beautiful borough every day,” said Council Member Steven Matteo. “I have worked with the Borough President, this administration and my City Council colleagues to secure significant resources to tackle this problem, including a dedicated Staten Island Clean Team that has removed thousands of pounds of litter and large debris at hundreds of locations across the borough– but we need more help. My hope is this initiative becomes more than a singular event to raise awareness about littering, but rather a call to action for Staten Islanders to take their trash-strewn streets back, to take some real pride in their communities and to make ‘Own the 18’ a mantra to live by every single day.”
“New Yorkers want and deserve a clean and safe city and this unique event being organized by Staten Island Borough President Oddo is an important step in making that goal a reality. When the Mayor was out here last month, we took a walking tour with Borough President Oddo and 18 inch violations were apparent. It’s every property owners’ responsibility to keep that area clean and this innovative event will both remind and encourage Staten Islanders to pitch in,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia.
Click here to sign up to "Own the 18."
During the weekend of June 18 (June 16-18), BP Oddo is asking Staten Island property and business owners to commit to taking a few moments to clean in front of their properties. Those who participate can post before and after photos on social media with the hashtag #ownthe18 to be reposted by the office’s social media accounts.
“This is our latest initiative to push back against a litter problem that continues to be out of control,” noted BP Oddo. “We are picking one weekend, June 16-18, and asking all property owners to actively clean up the sidewalk and 18 inches into the street. This should be happening every day, but the reality is that it isn’t. We are hoping that by having a call to arms for one weekend, we can educate property owners about the 18 inch law and enlist more Staten Islanders in this battle. Our litter problem is a self-inflicted one that Staten Islanders are doing to other Staten Islanders. We can’t blame historic inequities or anyone else for it. I know the majority of Staten Islanders are not engaging in it, but we need the majority to help us with the solution. Ultimately, we have a legal and moral obligation to clean in front of our properties. We are not looking to lead with the summons book, but we want to challenge as many Staten Islanders as possible to join us on the weekend of June 16, 17, and 18 and beyond.”
“Like Borough President Oddo and many other Staten Islanders, I am sickened by the amount of litter I see dumped on our beautiful borough every day,” said Council Member Steven Matteo. “I have worked with the Borough President, this administration and my City Council colleagues to secure significant resources to tackle this problem, including a dedicated Staten Island Clean Team that has removed thousands of pounds of litter and large debris at hundreds of locations across the borough– but we need more help. My hope is this initiative becomes more than a singular event to raise awareness about littering, but rather a call to action for Staten Islanders to take their trash-strewn streets back, to take some real pride in their communities and to make ‘Own the 18’ a mantra to live by every single day.”
“New Yorkers want and deserve a clean and safe city and this unique event being organized by Staten Island Borough President Oddo is an important step in making that goal a reality. When the Mayor was out here last month, we took a walking tour with Borough President Oddo and 18 inch violations were apparent. It’s every property owners’ responsibility to keep that area clean and this innovative event will both remind and encourage Staten Islanders to pitch in,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia.
Click here to sign up to "Own the 18."
