The City of Tacoma’s Tidy-Up Tacoma program is increasing the number of public garbage cans across the city to improve cleanliness, reduce litter and illegal dumping, and support healthier, more welcoming business districts and commercial areas.
The program is adding 120 new public garbage cans, bringing the total number of City-maintained cans to 360. New cans will be installed in neighborhood business districts and other dense commercial areas, with locations selected using litter hotspot data, Tacoma FIRST 311 service request trends, foot-traffic patterns, and equity considerations.
“Residents and businesses told us they want cleaner, better-maintained public spaces,” said Solid Waste Division Manager Lewis Griffith in the City’s Environmental Services Department. “This expansion is a direct response to what we heard, and a practical step toward making it easier for everyone to help keep Tacoma clean.”
The expansion also includes two full-time Solid Waste workers dedicated to garbage can installation, maintenance, repair, and graffiti removal, supporting a more proactive and consistent maintenance approach.
Community members can make requests for new public garbage can locations or report maintenance needs through Tacoma FIRST 311.
The project is fully funded through the City’s existing Solid Waste Excise Tax, as approved in its 2023–2024 Biennial Budget. No new rates or fees are associated with this effort.
More information on the Tidy-Up Tacoma program is available at tacoma.gov/tidyup.