about cleanerNYC
Cleaner neighborhoods start with shared responsibility
CleanerNYC is a personal initiative I’m developing here in Brooklyn, focused on a simple idea: the small choices we make every day can have a real impact on the neighborhoods we share.
Through work with schools, local businesses, community organizations, and public institutions, I’m exploring practical ways to encourage cleaner streets, more responsible habits, and greater participation in caring for our city.
Why cleanerNYC?
My Name is François Wiss. I’ve lived in Brooklyn for more than 20 years, and this is where I’m raising my family.
Over the years, I’ve seen how much work goes into keeping New York clean—and also how easily litter and poorly maintained public spaces can become something we simply get used to.
CleanerNYC grew from wanting to understand the issue better and do something practical about it. As part of that process, I attended Trash Academy, a program of the Sanitation Foundation, which gave me a deeper understanding of New York City’s waste and sanitation systems and helped inform the development of the project.
Rather than focusing on blame, I wanted to look at what each of us can realistically do: how we think about the waste we produce, how we treat the streets and sidewalks around us, and how schools, businesses, residents, community organizations, and the city can all contribute in different ways.
Most of these actions are small. But in a city of millions of people, small habits add up.
Starting Small,
With Room to Grow
CleanerNYC is a new project. I’m starting locally, developing the first programs and building relationships with schools, businesses, community organizations, and public institutions.
The goal is simple: start with practical ideas, see what works, learn from the people involved, and build from there.
One classroom. One storefront. One block. One neighborhood.
And over time, perhaps something that can grow across New York City.
A cleaner city isn't only something we should ask for.
It's something we can help create.
CleanerNYC is looking to connect with schools, local businesses, community organizations, public institutions, sponsors,
and New Yorkers interested in helping this project grow.