Near West Side Partners Trash Can Program

May 6 I Alexander O'Brien

The Near West Side has dealt with many issues relating to litter and uncared for trash receptacles. There were many cans in the Avenues West neighborhood that were not well maintained and lead to issues for the neighborhood. The cans were poorly maintained, had chipping pain, and were an eye sore. The cans were not being used or taken care of leading to excess waste on the streets. When the Near West Side Partners noticed this issue being on going in the neighborhood, they decided there needed to be a change. The trash can program was then created.

The program takes used 20-30 gallon trash cans and refurbishes them so that they can be clean, relocated, and ready for use. With the help of refurbish experts, the 4 foot, 60 pound cans would now be ready to find their new home. The goal was to place six cans between 27th and 16th street near Wisconsin Ave. Savanah from the Near West Side Ambassadors went through her business connection files and talked to business owners to see who these cans could help the most. The Ambassadors found six great business owners in the neighborhood who wanted to receive these cans and create a cleaner area to conduct business. The six businesses are Family Dollar, Milwaukee Foods, Citgo, Kassees food market, Rk Liquor on State St., and Midtown Foods on Wells. The Near West Side Partners were happy to help and provided them with the cans with the condition that the business owners would take out the trash and maintain the cans. After talking to Savanah and Bobby McQuay, who also assists in this project, it seems the business owners are doing a great job maintaining the cans and the litter on the streets around the businesses has decreased greatly. Since there has been such great results and community feedback, Bobby Savanah hope this trash can program can continue to grow in the future.

Keith Stanley, Director of Near West Side Partners, also has a hand in the Trash Can Program. He says they work in a close partnership with RPM, Reliant Property Management, in order to help clean up large dumped items around the Near West Side such as couches dumped in alleys or chairs thrown on the side of roads. This partnership has been extremely beneficial to the community as RPM helps do large cleanups that would be difficult without their assistance. This along with the trash cans all help create a cleaner and safer community space. Keith says there are ways everyone in the Near West Side can help in the clean-up process. The next step for the programming will be the stencils near these trash cans encouraging people to use them. NWSP also plans to work with business owners to keep the trash cans in good condition and emptied for continued use.

On top of keeping their houses and businesses clean, it is important that dirty areas or large dumps are reported by the community so they can be dealt with quickly and professionally. You can report trashy areas using the City of Milwaukee website or app. Keith also says the trash can program along with RPM’s help has created a much cleaner Near West Side, and hopes to expand the programs in the future.