Trash Piles Up as Brooklyn Residents Wait Weeks for Normal Collection

Department of Public Works resumes regular service after snowstorm, but some areas still inaccessible

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Residents in Brooklyn, New York have been waiting over two weeks for the Department of Public Works to resume regular trash and recycling collection after a major snowstorm. While the city has resumed normal operations, some areas remain inaccessible due to lingering snow and ice, leaving piles of trash building up on the streets.

Why it matters

The delayed trash collection has created unsanitary conditions in some Brooklyn neighborhoods, with residents reporting trash piled up to their waists. This highlights the challenges the city faces in recovering from major winter storms and the impact on basic municipal services.

The details

The Department of Public Works resumed regular trash and recycling pickup on Tuesday, February 11th, over two weeks after the snowstorm hit the area. However, some residents say they still haven't seen a sanitation truck on their street, as snow and ice in the alleys behind their homes have made it difficult for the trucks to access the piles of trash. The DPW says it is working to clear the alleys to allow the trucks to reach the trash.

  • The snowstorm hit the Brooklyn area more than two weeks ago.
  • The Department of Public Works resumed regular trash and recycling collection on Tuesday, February 11th.

The players

Stephen Hawkins

A Brooklyn resident who has been waiting weeks for trash collection to resume in his neighborhood.

Department of Public Works (DPW)

The municipal agency responsible for trash and recycling collection in Brooklyn, which has resumed normal operations but is still working to clear some areas.

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What they’re saying

“I had to take the trash out and take it to the end of the street. It got picked up there.”

— Stephen Hawkins, Brooklyn resident (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“You can't get down there because of the ice and snow buildup.”

— Stephen Hawkins, Brooklyn resident (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“It looks pretty bad back there. It's piled up to my height.”

— Stephen Hawkins, Brooklyn resident (WBAL-TV 11 News)

What’s next

The Department of Public Works says it is working to clear the remaining snow and ice in the alleys to allow sanitation trucks to access all areas and resume full trash collection service.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges cities face in recovering from major winter storms, as basic municipal services like trash collection can be disrupted for weeks. It underscores the need for robust emergency planning and coordination to ensure residents' quality of life is maintained even in the face of severe weather.