Urbanization has been on a steady rise in the United States since the 1950s, and with it, so has our trash. Despite numerous efforts to reduce waste and clean up our cities, many still struggle with the mounting piles of garbage lining the curbs. A 2023 online study looks into the dirtiest cities with the most trash on the streets.
1. Houston, TX
Houston’s trash problem stems from the city’s giant urban sprawl, while a lack of enforcement gives it a terrible rating. Thankfully, Houston authorities have organized the “One Clean Houston” campaign to combat illegal dumping and growing waste.
2. Newark, NJ
In 2022, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced a campaign to help combat Newark’s rising garbage dilemma. His plans include rolling out dumpsters and trailers on non-collection days to encourage residents to dispose of trash.
3. San Bernardino, CA
According to a 2023 report, San Bernardino residents are the unhappiest regarding the state of their city. Their cleanliness issues result from poor collection services, illegal dumping, and a transient population base. City officials have now offered San Bernardino citizens free collections of two bulky items through their ‘Keep San Bernardino Clean’ initiative.
4. Detroit, MI
Michigan’s largest city has been fighting a growing illegal dumping problem, and locals identified a North End neighborhood as a focal point for much of this. It is so bad in some streets that it looks like a dump site, with rats continuing to plague suburban areas, with abandoned homes blamed for the problem.
5. Jersey City, NJ
A local Jersey City newspaper found that from 2020 through 2022, data obtained from the Jersey City SeeClickFix app showed half of the residents’ complaints about city hygiene stemmed from littering and illegal dumping. Some residents report seeing thrash thrown from car windows. Jersey City’s only saving grace is that its rival, Newark, ranks worst in the state.
6. Bakersfield, CA
A symptom of Bakersfield’s ongoing war with trash is found in its local vegetation regeneration project, the Panorama Vista Preserve, where volunteers have planted thousands of native shrubs and trees to regenerate the land. Now, preserve volunteers are fighting illegal dumping in their parking lots, and recently, they removed three tons of furniture, junk, and clothing from their grounds. The city sits fifth overall in the messiness stakes.
7. San Antonio, TX
When the San Antonio River was drained recently, officials removed 50 tons of waste in six days. Reports from locals who are joining forces to help clean their neighborhoods report kayaking down the river and fishing out accumulated garbage originating in downtown areas. Thankfully, ‘Adopt-a-Spot’ initiatives and the city’s 20-year $384 million San Antonio River Improvement Project is underway.
8. Fresno, CA
According to local reports, the public litter issue on Fresno’s freeways is exacerbated by trash trucks and litterbugs. Trash pick-up crews report filling mountains of bags over an eight-hour shift, only for the trash to re-accumulate in hours. It’s not all bad news: a ‘Keep Bakersfield Beautiful’ campaign pays homeless people to collect trash, while the City’s Fresgo app reportedly responds to trash complaints within 24 hours.
9. Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City’s waste management practices have been in question lately. A group of residents complained of a trash mound outside their apartment complex, which grew in size (and stench) for two months. They resorted to going public with Oklahoma News 4, though it took weeks until officials addressed the issue.
10. Yonkers, NY
A while ago, Yonkers officials removed public garbage cans to thwart the rising street litter problem. This counter-intuitive idea came after street litter baskets became overwhelmed with larger refuse items, such as furniture and household detritus, which attracted rats.
11. Shreveport, LA
Just take a drive along Mansfield Road, with its old buildings wearing layers of dirt like a special city badge, and you’ll see why this city is on our list. Even the gas stations have fuel pumps that have grime on them—a sight that’s purely Shreveport.
Greece’s Luxury Hospitality Sector Gears up for Record Tourist Arrivals
Twenty-three million international air arrivals were recorded in Greece from January to October last year, an increase of 11.5 percent. According to a National Bank of Greece (NBG) survey, Greek tourism is poised to shatter arrival records in 2024; forecasting that the number of visitors will surpass 35 million. In response to growing demand, several airlines from Europe and North America have announced plans to boost the number of available seats to Greece, with some increasing capacity by up to 30% this year. Additionally, two new carriers will begin serving Athens for the first time, and three new destinations in Europe and Asia have been added to the travel routes. Airlines are not the only ones investing in Greek tourism. Major hotels and resorts are also undergoing renovations and expansions to meet the demand of travelers seeking a luxurious experience in Greece. According to Allied Market Research, the country’s luxury tourism sector is expected to reach $2.7 billion by 2030, with an 11.5% annual growth rate. This news is supported by a report from luxury travel experts Virtuoso, which identified Greece as a top destination for upscale travelers in 2024. Increased disposable incomes, high-end investments, and Greece’s diverse tourist offerings, including island destinations, gastronomy, and events, drive this surge. The country enchants with its millennia-old history, sun-drenched landscapes, and vibrant culture. Beyond its ancient ruins and azure waters, exploring Greece lures many travelers to its regions, each offering distinct experiences. Four standout properties promise exceptional stays from Athens to Mykonos and Santorini: New Hotel in Athens, Semiramis in Kifisia, Kalesma Mykonos, and Nous Santorini. Each hotel blends a unique design with Greek hospitality, providing an intimate and exclusive experience. Image Credit: Casandra Karpiak
Greece’s Luxury Hospitality Sector Gears up for Record Tourist Arrivals
From Diners to Poodle Skirts: 11 Coolest 1950s Trends That Deserve a Second Life
You may think of the 1950s as a time of conformity and conservatism, but that doesn’t mean the decade didn’t have its share of amazing trends. Depending on who you ask, the ’50s may have actually been one of the most stylish decades of all time. A number of these trends have since been forgotten, but some are definitely worth bringing back.
From Diners to Poodle Skirts: 11 Coolest 1950s Trends That Deserve a Second Life
8 Pieces of Modern Tech That Boomers Seriously Struggle With Using Today
For most of us, technology is just part of life, and although we’re constantly using new things, learning how to use them isn’t a foreign concept. Even things that are brand new or haven’t always been around—we know that they can help us and make our lives easier, so we adapt to learning and evolving with the times.
8 Pieces of Modern Tech That Boomers Seriously Struggle With Using Today
Behind the Times: 10 Big Things Boomers Are Completely Out of Touch With Today
There’s no doubt about it: there are some things that baby boomers just don’t seem to be able to grasp today. From changing expectations of when (and who) you should be getting married to how you’re supposed to build a long and successful career, there appear to be certain issues that they struggle to understand.
Behind the Times: 10 Big Things Boomers Are Completely Out of Touch With Today
You’ll Want To Avoid These 12 Cities Travelers Say “Never Again” To
As much as we all love to explore the world and see new places, it’s not always a bed of roses. For some travelers, there are cities they regret ever seeing—places that were a letdown, unsafe, or just plain unpleasant. Of course, your experience in these places may vary, but it’s still worth being aware of the cities that travelers most often rate one star.
You’ll Want To Avoid These 12 Cities Travelers Say “Never Again” To