Bigbelly Program Launches through Partnership with Mayor’s Fix-It Team and OEWD

The East Cut CBD is inaugurating the installation of 5 Bigbelly trash receptacles to help the city increase the cleanliness and vibrancy of sidewalks.

San Francisco, CA — Beginning today, The East Cut Community Benefit District (The East Cut CBD), which includes the Rincon Hill and Transbay areas, will operate and maintain 5 Bigbelly smart trash receptacles. This Bigbelly plan, sponsored by the Mayor’s Fix-It Team and the Office of Economic Workforce and Development (OEWD) via their Invest in Neighborhood program, directly supports city-wide efforts to reduce litter on the public sidewalk.

“The new Bigbelly trash cans in the East Cut will help us keep our City clean and beautiful,” said Mayor Breed. “While we have expanded our street cleaning programs, it’s important that we prevent trash and litter from piling up and becoming a problem in the first place. These trash cans help us do that. We funded 80 new Bigbelly cans in the budget and it’s exciting to see them installed and being used in neighborhoods throughout the city.”

“Every San Franciscan deserves a clean and welcoming environment to live and work. These new Bigbelly trash cans compliment the diversity of Mayor Breed’s investments to keep our neighborhoods looking beautiful,” said Joaquín Torres, Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “OEWD is proud to partner with the East Cut Community Benefit District to support their valuable community-facing services, and we look forward to continued collaboration and success.”

The East Cut Community Benefit District provides service to the area 24 hours a day and is actively engaged in sidewalk cleanliness efforts. For instance, we collected over 215,000 pounds of trash in 2019. Thanks to the efficiency created by each solar-powered and secure smart station, positioned at strategic intersections, The East Cut CBD aims to better focus its cleaning efforts. The five new stations were installed at strategic locations based on litter-collection data and projected pedestrian traffic:

  • 1st and Howard streets, north-east corner 
  • 1st and Mission streets, north-east corner
  • Beale and Folsom streets: north-west corner 
  • 2nd and Folsom streets: north-east corner
  • 2nd and Natoma streets, south-east corner

“We are pleased to add these Bigbelly cans to our district, building on the experience of our peer districts throughout the City. These trash cans improve the experience on our sidewalks, allowing us to dedicate our cleaning resources to address other critically important needs,” said The East Cut CBD’s Executive Director Andrew Robinson. “We all deserve clean streets, and these cans support our efforts while at the same time offering a pop of color and art to the passerby. Thank you to the City and the artist fnnch for partnering with us.”

Additionally, the new Bigbelly stations provide a unique opportunity to incorporate placemaking and economic development. Distinctive art adorns each station, created by fnnch, which creates a unique platform to promote the neighborhood.

fnnch, the artist who created and offered the wrap designs to The East Cut CBD, said, “When people think of public art they think of sculptures and murals, but there are many ways to get art to the public. Trash cans are regularly sized and placed directly on street corners — what a fantastic canvas.”

The East Cut Community Benefit District is humbled to contribute to cleanliness programs that help improve the quality of life for everyone who utilizes our sidewalks. The neighborhood non-profit also is honored to receive the support of Mayor London Breed, District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney, the Mayor’s Fix-It Team, OEWD, and fnnch, in the pursuit of our joint objective to provide residents, workers, and visitors with the highest standards of public-realm stewardship.

ABOUT THE EAST CUT COMMUNITY BENEFIT DISTRICT

The East Cut Community Benefit District is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works to advance neighborhood quality of life, enhance the public realm and reinforce the viability of the local economic base to make for a more connected community. The East Cut CBD neighborhood covers nearly 20 city blocks, from Mission to Bryant and Second to Steuart Streets. Learn more about the East Cut neighborhood and Community Benefit District at theeastcut.org.

The East Cut Annual Report FY17-18