Day 86 at the 16th St. Plaza No trash cans trash on the street

Trash accumulates on Mission Street in San Francisco due to insufficient waste management, particularly on the west side from 14th to 16th streets, where numerous unpermitted vendors operate on weekends. Paul O’Driscoll, a local business owner, voiced concerns about the lack of trash cans and the absence of street cleaning on Monday mornings, which follows heavy vendor activity on Sundays. Public Works claims to have sweepers working on Mondays, yet residents still observe significant litter. The lack of city trash cans worsens the situation, with one previously removed because of illegal dumping and vandalism. Mission Housing’s executive director, Sam Moss, stated they are advocating for assistance but lack jurisdiction over public areas.

In response to the ongoing issue, city officials have begun implementing barriers to deter weekend vending. This situation highlights broader challenges in managing public spaces and vendor activities. Local stakeholders continue to push for solutions to improve cleanliness and safety in the area.