Mayor Mamdani Taps Anderson as NYC Sanitation Chief

Gregory Anderson returns to lead the nation's largest municipal waste management agency.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 6:24am

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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has appointed Gregory Anderson as the new Commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY). Anderson, who previously spent nearly a decade at DSNY, will lead the agency that collects 24 million pounds of waste each day and keeps the city's 6,000 miles of streets clean and clear of snow.

Why it matters

Anderson's appointment comes at a pivotal moment for DSNY, as the agency continues to play a critical role in maintaining the cleanliness and livability of New York City. His experience in waste management, environmental policy, and emergency response will be invaluable as DSNY works to further modernize its operations and advance initiatives like waste containerization and curbside composting.

The details

Anderson previously served in senior leadership roles at DSNY, where he directed policy priorities across two mayoral administrations and managed major initiatives such as waste containerization and universal curbside composting. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director of State Operations for Governor Kathy Hochul, supporting the day-to-day management of more than 70 state agencies and leading interagency emergency management efforts.

  • Anderson will assume the role of DSNY Commissioner immediately.
  • Javier Lojan will resume his role as First Deputy Commissioner after serving as Acting Commissioner for the past year and four months.

The players

Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City who appointed Gregory Anderson as the new DSNY Commissioner.

Gregory Anderson

The new Commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), who previously spent nearly a decade at the agency in senior leadership roles.

Javier Lojan

The First Deputy Commissioner of DSNY, who served as Acting Commissioner for the past year and four months.

Julia Kerson

The Deputy Mayor for Operations in New York City.

Kathryn Garcia

The Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and a former DSNY Commissioner.

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What they’re saying

“As Commissioner, Gregory will carry forward the transformative projects he helped build, from waste containerization and curbside composting to commercial waste reform. He joins DSNY at a pivotal moment.”

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

“With his background in sanitation, environmental policy and emergency response, he is ready to lead New York's Strongest during this new era for our city.”

— Julia Kerson, Deputy Mayor for Operations

“As we have all seen over the last two months, DSNY provides some of the most essential services for New Yorkers. Under the Mayor's leadership, we will start a new era for our city's neighborhoods, one where cleanliness is measured not by the absence of trash but by vitality and well-maintained public spaces.”

— Gregory Anderson, DSNY Commissioner

“Serving as Acting Commissioner has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I am proud of the work we accomplished together on behalf of New Yorkers.”

— Javier Lojan, DSNY First Deputy Commissioner

“Having worked closely with him in both city and state government, I've seen his ability to navigate complex operations firsthand.”

— Kathryn Garcia, Executive Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and former DSNY Commissioner

What’s next

Anderson will assume the role of DSNY Commissioner immediately, and Javier Lojan will resume his role as First Deputy Commissioner.

The takeaway

Gregory Anderson's appointment as the new DSNY Commissioner comes at a critical time for the agency, as it continues to play a vital role in maintaining the cleanliness and livability of New York City. His extensive experience in waste management, environmental policy, and emergency response will be invaluable as DSNY works to further modernize its operations and advance key initiatives like waste containerization and curbside composting.