Tourists Trash Brooklyn Bridge with Litter

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tourists visiting the Brooklyn Bridge have been tying piles of trash, including used tampons, condoms, and underwear, to the fence on the iconic landmark. The unsanitary trend has been plaguing the bridge for years, with cleanup crews struggling to keep up with the constant influx of litter. Local residents have taken matters into their own hands, documenting the issue and attempting to remove the trash, but tourists continue to add to the growing pile despite their efforts.

Why it matters

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York City's most famous and beloved landmarks, drawing millions of visitors each year. The accumulation of trash on the bridge not only detracts from the enjoyment of the landmark, but also creates a public health and sanitation issue that burdens the city's maintenance crews. This trend highlights a lack of respect and consideration for public spaces by some tourists, raising concerns about the impact of overtourism on historic sites.

The details

Tourists have been tying scores of dirty tissues, hairbands, condoms, tampons, and even panties to a fence in the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge. The trend has become so frequent that cleanup crews, like local resident Ellen Baum, cannot keep up with the constant influx of litter. Baum has documented her efforts to clear sections of the fence, which can take up to 90 minutes, but the undeterred tourists continue to add more trash even as she works.

• The nasty trend has been plaguing the Brooklyn Bridge on-and-off for years, but skyrocketed in recent weeks as the city's attention was seized elsewhere by a recent cold snap and monster snow dumping.
• On February 3, 2026, Ellen Baum began documenting her daily efforts to clear sections of the bridge's fence.
• On February 13, 2026, Baum and a volunteer group called Pick Up Pigeons removed nearly 13 pounds of trash from the bridge.
• As of February 15, 2026, an entire wall of trash was still standing on the Brooklyn Bridge.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Department of Transportation, which is responsible for the Brooklyn Bridge, has said it conducts routine cleaning sweeps along the pedestrian pathway, but has not provided details on how often these patrols take place or how many tickets have been issued for littering in recent months. The agency has also not indicated any specific plans to address the ongoing trash problem on the iconic landmark.