Mayor Announces 'Aggressive' Spring Cleanup Effort

Mayor Thomas Menino launched an “aggressive” spring cleanup effort on Wednesday in response to high levels of litter and debris on sidewalks and streets exacerbated by a severe winter.

Menino dispatched “Clean Teams” to city neighborhoods on Wednesday to identify problems that can easily be fixed, his office announced. Weekend and overnight street sweeping has begun in business districts and main arteries, weeks ahead of regular street sweeping, which begins April 1.

“We are getting a jump on the cleanup, bringing all hands on deck to make sure our roads are safe and our neighborhoods are clean as we look forward to spring,” Menino said in a press release. “Winter may be ending but the cleanup work is just beginning.”

The will be street sweeping all week and picking up trash on sidewalks using special equipment, the Mayor's office said. Potholes will be filled using the newly acquired “Potzilla” and Parks and Recreation crews will be clearing large branches and other debris from parks and public spaces.  

During the cleanup, parking bans for street sweeping will not be enforced, the Mayor’s office said, but will be posted so that residents can accommodate the cleanup. This all comes ahead of the annual citywide cleanup weekend, Boston Shines, which takes place at the end of April.

The annual "Boston Shines" community clean-up happens April 29 for businesses and April 30 for residences. Neighbors pitch in to help each other.

Here is a comprehensive list of spring cleaning tips and information.