Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Last Night's Garbage
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 12, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 12, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Earlier this year one New Yorker decided to document something we pass by every day: the trash. The website Last Night's Garbage looks at what most of us try to avoid and matches up the photo with some verbal witticisms, knowledge or "deep thoughts." Underneath a photo of a public trash can are the provisions of proposed INT. NO. 110-A. What, never heard of it?:
This bill would amend subdivision (e) of section 16-120 of the Administrative Code to change the term open mesh basket to public litter basket. It will also amend subdivision (f) of section 16-120 of the Administrative Code to increase penalties for a violation of paragraph (e) to $100-$300 for a first offense, $250-$350 for a second offense within any twelve-month period and $350-$400 for a third or subsequent violation within any twelve-month period. The bill would also create a rebuttable presumption that the person whose name or other identifying information is found on the commercial or household waste deposited it in the public litter basket. Section two states that this local law will take effect thirty days after it is enacted into law.
In other words, don't toss that offer for a new credit card in a public litter basket. The Sierra Club suggests you use the site as a platform to ponder post-consumer waste. And we suggest Freegans take note, this site could serve as an online shopping platform pointing you to all the best trash in town. Free bytecode verifier knowledge (pictured) spotted in the East Village!
Tagged
club
east village
free
garbage
last night
law
new yorker
night
Shopping
Sierra Club
websites
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 3:17 p.m. ET
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Arts & Entertainment
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
By
James Ramsay
What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.
By
Jayson Greene
Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .