HISTORY This Week: New York Takes Out the Trash

Release Date: November 18, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of HISTORY This Week, hosted by Alana Casanova Burgess, the focus is on New York City's enduring battle with waste management and its pervasive rat problem. Through an engaging conversation with Robin Nagel, an anthropologist in residence for the New York City Department of Sanitation and a clinical professor at NYU's School of Liberal Studies, the podcast delves into the historical and contemporary efforts to transform the city's sanitation infrastructure. The episode not only chronicles the evolution of garbage management in one of the world's largest cities but also highlights the societal and political dynamics that have shaped these efforts.

Current Efforts by Mayor Eric Adams

The episode opens with Mayor Eric Adams addressing the chronic rat issue plaguing New York City. Speaking passionately at a press conference held at a Lower Manhattan sanitation garage, Mayor Adams underscores his commitment to eradicating the rat infestation:

Eric Adams (02:19): "No, I have made it clear I hate rats. And we are going to kill some rats, that is."

Mayor Adams emphasizes the profound impact rats have on residents' daily lives and the city's public health:

Eric Adams (02:53): "If you walk down the block and a rat runs across your foot, you never forget it... and I hate rats."

He announces four new pieces of legislation aimed at overhauling the city's waste management practices, signaling a renewed focus on combating the root causes of the rat problem—primarily inadequate garbage disposal methods.

Historical Context of Garbage Management in NYC

The podcast provides a comprehensive historical overview of New York City's struggle with waste management, tracing its origins back to the city's founding days.

A. Early Years and Initial Challenges

When New York City was established as New Amsterdam by the Dutch, garbage management was virtually non-existent. Trash, including manure, broken pottery, and human waste, was commonly dumped along the city's tidal estuaries:

Wesley Levisay (07:14): "Peter Stuyvesant was the general director of the New Amsterdam colony. And in 1657, he said, look, there's these five locations. We're going to allow you to dump your trash."

This practice led to severe sanitation issues, as trash floated between rivers, creating persistent odors and attracting scavengers like pigs and rats.

B. Public Health Crises and Early Reforms

In 1702, New York City faced a catastrophic yellow fever outbreak, decimating approximately 10% of its population. This public health crisis highlighted the dire need for effective sanitation measures:

Wesley Levisay (12:10): "Cadwalader Colden... let's try something. The disease hits hardest in the dirtiest corners of the city. Let's clean it up."

Under Colden's guidance, the city implemented swamp drainage and enforced street cleaning laws, significantly reducing disease outbreaks and demonstrating the effectiveness of systematic public health interventions.

C. Aaron Burr's Attempt at Water Management

Post-American Revolution, as New York City's population surged, water scarcity became a pressing issue. Aaron Burr introduced a bill to establish a water company that would supply water from Westchester. However, Burr's ulterior motives sabotaged the project:

Wesley Levisay (13:23): "He formed a bank which evolved over... some poor schlub had to go into the basement of the JP Morgan bank headquarters and turn on a faucet and fill a bucket and say, yeah, we are a water company."

Burr's manipulation prevented the establishment of a reliable water infrastructure, exacerbating sanitation problems until the devastating Great Fire of 1835 underscored the urgent need for a robust water system.

D. Croton Aqueduct System

In response to the Great Fire of 1835, New York City embarked on constructing the Croton Aqueduct, which debuted in 1842. This significant engineering achievement provided the city with a steady water supply, facilitating the development of an effective sewer system and improving overall sanitation.

E. Tammany Hall and Corruption

During the mid-1800s, Tammany Hall, a dominant Democratic political machine led by figures like Boss Tweed, controlled New York City's politics through rampant corruption. This hindered genuine efforts to improve waste management, as sanitation workers were often bribed, leading to inconsistent and ineffective garbage collection:

Wesley Levisay (17:15): "There was money for it, but the understanding was, if I hire you to be a street sweeper and I pay you a salary, you give some of that salary back to the ward bosses..."

F. Gilded Age and Social Reforms

The Gilded Age saw a surge in wealth and population in New York City, intensifying the sanitation crisis. Wealthy women emerged as key advocates for municipal housekeeping, pushing for reforms to address the city's garbage woes. Their activism led to significant improvements, including the removal of large manure piles and enforcement of existing sanitation laws.

G. George E. Waring, Jr.'s Sanitation Reforms

In 1894, with the election of non-Tammany Hall mayor William Strong, George E. Waring, Jr. was appointed as the commissioner of street cleaning. A Civil War veteran with a background in sanitation engineering, Waring implemented military-style discipline and accountability within the Department of Street Cleaning:

Wesley Levisay (22:24): "George Waring... he brought a military hierarchy to the department of street cleaning, which still holds today."

Waring introduced curbside recycling and standardized uniforms to instill professionalism among sanitation workers. His reforms not only cleaned the streets but also laid the groundwork for modern sanitation practices, transforming New York City's public health landscape.

Modern Garbage Management Challenges

Fast forward to the present day, New York City is transitioning to containerization—replacing plastic garbage bags with solid plastic containers to deter rats. However, historical reliance on plastic bags has proven ineffective:

Wesley Levisay (29:27): "There does not exist a rat-proof plastic bag. The pounds per square inch of a rat jaw is pretty immense. That plastic bag will never, ever stop a rat."

This shift underscores the ongoing challenges in waste management, where outdated methods continue to contribute to environmental and public health issues. The convergence of factors like microplastics, landfill leachate, and persistent rat infestations highlights a critical inflection point in how the city approaches garbage disposal.

Conclusion

The episode concludes by reflecting on whether New York City's garbage crisis is a cyclical challenge or a pivotal moment driving systemic change. Robin Nagel expresses optimism that the current efforts represent a convergence of issues that could lead to sustainable solutions, rather than a temporary setback.

Wesley Levisay (30:10): "I hope it is the convergence of all of these very specific but overlapping issues that are coming together to put garbage far more centrally in our minds and in our strategies for how to create a healthy city."

As New York City continues its battle against waste and rats, the historical lessons and modern innovations discussed in this episode offer valuable insights into the complex interplay between urban development, public health, and effective governance.

Notable Quotes

• Eric Adams (02:19): "No, I have made it clear I hate rats. And we are going to kill some rats, that is."

• Eric Adams (02:53): "If you walk down the block and a rat runs across your foot, you never forget it... and I hate rats."

• Wesley Levisay (07:14): "Peter Stuyvesant was the general director of the New Amsterdam colony. And in 1657, he said, look, there's these five locations. We're going to allow you to dump your trash."

• Wesley Levisay (12:10): "Cadwalader Colden... let's try something. The disease hits hardest in the dirtiest corners of the city. Let's clean it up."

• Wesley Levisay (17:15): "There was money for it, but the understanding was, if I hire you to be a street sweeper and I pay you a salary, you give some of that salary back to the ward bosses..."

• Wesley Levisay (22:24): "George Waring... he brought a military hierarchy to the department of street cleaning, which still holds today."

• Wesley Levisay (29:27): "There does not exist a rat-proof plastic bag. The pounds per square inch of a rat jaw is pretty immense. That plastic bag will never, ever stop a rat."

• Wesley Levisay (30:10): "I hope it is the convergence of all of these very specific but overlapping issues that are coming together to put garbage far more centrally in our minds and in our strategies for how to create a healthy city."

Final Thoughts

This episode of HISTORY This Week masterfully intertwines New York City's historical sanitation challenges with current efforts to create a cleaner, healthier urban environment. By exploring the city's past missteps and triumphs, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in waste management and public health. The insightful interview with Robin Nagel enriches the narrative, providing expert perspectives on both historical and modern initiatives aimed at eradicating the rat menace and improving overall city sanitation.

For more engaging stories that illuminate the pivotal moments in history, subscribe to HISTORY This Week wherever you get your podcasts.