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# Litterplugs in Ditmas Park
- URL: https://bklyner.com/litterplugs-in-ditmas-park-ditmas-park/
- Published: 2013-03-12T16:13:25.000Z
- Updated: 2014-09-30T16:38:41.000Z
- Author: Mary Bakija
- Tags: litter, Litterplugs, #API-Imported

We all know the [littering situation](/blog/tag/trash) in the neighborhood is a little (okay, often a lot) out of control. But what about all the places people put their garbage rather than throwing it on the ground? Someone recently coined the term “[litterplugs](http://cabel.me/2013/02/04/litterplugs/?ref=bklyner.com)” to describe that weird habit, and we have plenty of examples in our area.

![Litterplugs: Coffee Cup in Fence](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dpc_litterplugs_coffeecup_fence-533x399.jpg)

A coffee cup that can be perfectly wedged into a chain-link fence.

![Litterplugs: Flowerpot in a Payphone](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dpc_litterplugs_flowerpot_payphone-533x399.jpg)

Payphones are popular as an alternate trash can. This one on Newkirk doesn’t have a phone anymore, so its main purpose has basically been turned into being a stand-in trashcan, and is the perfect size for an old flowerpot — which is, actually, also being used as an alternate trashcan.

![Litterplugs: Stanchion 1](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dpc_litterplugs_stanchion_westm-aveh-533x399.jpg)

![Litterplugs: Stanchion 2](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dpc_litterplugs_stanchion_westm-foster-533x399.jpg)

Some of the lovely stanchions in the neighborhood have, for some reason, a hollow cutout in them, which are perpetually used for trash.

![Litterplugs: Church Ave Subway Platform](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dpc_litterplugs_churchave_subway-533x399.jpg)

One of the most frustrating things about these litterplugs is that they’re often found mere feet away from a trashcan, like this example on the Church Ave subway platform.

![Litterplugs: Cortelyou Firebox](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dpc_litterplugs_cortelyou_fire-533x587.jpg)

Or this fire call box on the corner of Cortelyou and East 16th Street.

So what can you do about it? Some neighbors on [this thread](/blog/sanitation/another-passive-aggressive-note-on-cortelyou-this-time-about-trash) were talking about ways to encourage street beautification by creating some kind of “pretty block challenge.” Other neighbors have organized a [spring cleaning on Cortelyou for this Saturday](/blog/sanitation/spring-cleaning-on-cortelyou-road-next-saturday), which anyone is welcome to help with.

In addition to [requesting additional cans](http://www.nyc.gov/html/dsny/html/contact/requests%5Flitter.shtml?ref=bklyner.com) (which, we think these litterplugs show, may not help), residents can [adopt a trashcan](http://www.nyc.gov/html/dsny/html/contact/adopt%5Fbasket.shtml?ref=bklyner.com) through 311\. By agreeing to empty the can and replace the plastic bag liner, the city will apparently supply you with liners, a contact at Sanitation, and a certificate of appreciation. Anyone ever done this?

What other ideas have you got?