New York City's streets are taking a beating this autumn. Literally. The city's trusty street sweepers, also known as "big bruisers," have an insatiable appetite for leaves, consuming hundreds of tons more than usual during peak fall foliage weeks.
The Department of Sanitation and Environmental Protection (DSNY) has deployed an additional 364 street sweepers along new routes, a whopping 31% increase from the usual 1,162 weekly routes. These machines can hold up to 1,500 pounds of debris each, but this time around, leaves make up most of their diet.
Clearing streets is crucial in preventing storm drains from clogging and causing flooding. Yet, New Yorkers who don't move their cars during alternate side parking periods often inadvertently hinder the process, sometimes with dire consequences. In 2021, Hurricane Ida's aftermath saw increased flooding due to jammed storm drains filled with trash.
City officials urge residents to keep moving their cars to make way for street sweepers and avoid a $65 fine. After all, as one DSNY spokesperson noted, "the only thing drawn near by a leafless tree is a clogged storm drain." It's clear that this autumn season will be a costly one for the city in more ways than just lost leaves on the streets.
The Department of Sanitation and Environmental Protection (DSNY) has deployed an additional 364 street sweepers along new routes, a whopping 31% increase from the usual 1,162 weekly routes. These machines can hold up to 1,500 pounds of debris each, but this time around, leaves make up most of their diet.
Clearing streets is crucial in preventing storm drains from clogging and causing flooding. Yet, New Yorkers who don't move their cars during alternate side parking periods often inadvertently hinder the process, sometimes with dire consequences. In 2021, Hurricane Ida's aftermath saw increased flooding due to jammed storm drains filled with trash.
City officials urge residents to keep moving their cars to make way for street sweepers and avoid a $65 fine. After all, as one DSNY spokesperson noted, "the only thing drawn near by a leafless tree is a clogged storm drain." It's clear that this autumn season will be a costly one for the city in more ways than just lost leaves on the streets.
! Like, can't we just have a decent fall without all the mess? And what's with the fine, $65? That's crazy for not moving your car during alternate side parking periods... it feels like they're trying to scare us into doing the right thing 
. I mean, I get that clearing streets is important and all that, but can't we just have some better systems in place? Like, why do we need 31% more street sweepers now? Shouldn't we be looking at ways to reduce waste and stuff instead of just shoveling it onto the streets? 
I mean, can you blame the street sweepers? Those things are like vacuum cleaners for the road! But seriously, it's crazy to think they're eating up all those tons of leaves. Like, what even happens to them after that? Do they just... get recycled or something?
anyway, glad the city is taking steps to prevent flooding and all that jazz 
. Maybe we can even get a leaf-themed public art installation out of this? 
! I mean, I get it, leaves can be a real pain and stuff, but 31% more sweepers is wild. Like, what's next? More snowplows for every inch of snow?! It feels like we're trying to make the most of our city's $65 fines... Meanwhile, who actually takes alternate side parking periods seriously? Just me 
, it's nice to see the city acknowledging that residents gotta step up their game. Maybe they could give us a heads-up on storm drain stuff instead of just leaving it as a $65 fine?
. I mean, 364 new sweepers and all, but still gotta see those machines blowing through our neighborhoods like there's no tomorrow! The idea that leaves make up most of their diet is pretty amusing, though - talk about an insatiable appetite 
. The fine might seem steep at $65, but I'd rather pay that than risk my neighborhood flooding. It's all about priorities, right?
. I mean, what's next? Robots cleaning up after us? It's like they're sucking all the life out of the seasons... literally! They just gobble up all the leaves and don't even care about the rest of the stuff that comes with them - trash, branches, you name it. And now the city is shelling out extra cash for more of these machines 
. I get it, we need to clear the streets or else flooding's gonna be a real problem... but can't we just clean up after ourselves? It's not that hard, guys! 
. Can't they just move them already?! The city's gonna be stuck with a huge bill this autumn, and it's not just about the leaves 
let's all try to do our part and keep those streets leaf-free 
. Just gotta remember to move my car during alternate side parking periods or it's gonna be costly 
.
. Stay vigilant, folks!