A Pittsburgh official proposed a $9 million investment into new trash cans for every household in the city on Tuesday, saying the new cans would curb litter and improve garbage collection. Our news partners at the Trib said Public Works Director Chris Hornstein pitched the idea to city council, following the roughly $5 million purchase of blue recycling bins for residents. RELATED VIDEO: Pittsburgh council member asks for disaster declaration from Gov. Shapiro over city trash problems, April 2025 The last batch of recycling bins was distributed in June 2023, capping off a year-long effort to transition away from a bag-based recycling program.Hornstein, according to the Trib, said giving each household a can with a tight-fitting lid would reduce litter left behind after animals break through plastic garbage bags or rummage in cans without lids.He also argued that standardized garbage cans would allow for installing mechanical arms on garbage trucks to pick up trash. Workers would no longer have to heave cans into the back of trucks, which would reduce the risk of injuries, Hornstein said.The Trib said the cost to outfit garbage trucks with such equipment has not been estimated by officials.Councilwoman Erika Strassburger, D-Squirrel Hill, also said the investment in new trash cans would be a step in the right direction. Strassburger acknowledged garbage cans may need to be larger than the 32-gallon bins the city purchased for recycling. She also said she would want them to have wheels.While officials acknowledged there’s more to be done to address the city’s litter issues, they highlighted ongoing efforts to cut back on trash in the streets and on vacant properties, the Trib stated. Hornstein told the Trib that Pittsburgh is planning to lease five new street sweepers ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in April in an effort to keep the streets clean. Pittsburgh has ramped up its clean and lien program, which allows officials to clean up vacant properties and put liens on them, the Trib continued. The city so far has conducted about 440 such clean-ups this year, up from 80 in 2022.Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel

PITTSBURGH —

A Pittsburgh official proposed a $9 million investment into new trash cans for every household in the city on Tuesday, saying the new cans would curb litter and improve garbage collection.

Our news partners at the Trib said Public Works Director Chris Hornstein pitched the idea to city council, following the roughly $5 million purchase of blue recycling bins for residents.

RELATED VIDEO: Pittsburgh council member asks for disaster declaration from Gov. Shapiro over city trash problems, April 2025

The last batch of recycling bins was distributed in June 2023, capping off a year-long effort to transition away from a bag-based recycling program.

Hornstein, according to the Trib, said giving each household a can with a tight-fitting lid would reduce litter left behind after animals break through plastic garbage bags or rummage in cans without lids.

He also argued that standardized garbage cans would allow for installing mechanical arms on garbage trucks to pick up trash.

Workers would no longer have to heave cans into the back of trucks, which would reduce the risk of injuries, Hornstein said.

The Trib said the cost to outfit garbage trucks with such equipment has not been estimated by officials.

Councilwoman Erika Strassburger, D-Squirrel Hill, also said the investment in new trash cans would be a step in the right direction.

Strassburger acknowledged garbage cans may need to be larger than the 32-gallon bins the city purchased for recycling. She also said she would want them to have wheels.

While officials acknowledged there’s more to be done to address the city’s litter issues, they highlighted ongoing efforts to cut back on trash in the streets and on vacant properties, the Trib stated.

Hornstein told the Trib that Pittsburgh is planning to lease five new street sweepers ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in April in an effort to keep the streets clean.

Pittsburgh has ramped up its clean and lien program, which allows officials to clean up vacant properties and put liens on them, the Trib continued.

The city so far has conducted about 440 such clean-ups this year, up from 80 in 2022.

Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel