NEW YUCK CITY: Tourists are ‘trash tagging’ NY bridge with tampons, condoms, dirty underwear in gross trend
In a disturbing new trend plaguing one of New York City's most iconic landmarks, tourists have been tying piles of trash—including used tampons, condoms, panties, tissues, hair ties, candy wrappers, receipts, and Band-Aids—to a fence at the center of the Brooklyn Bridge.
This behavior, which has escalated sharply in recent weeks amid a cold snap and heavy snowfall that diverted city resources, has transformed sections of the historic span into an eyesore, with volunteers removing nearly 13 pounds of debris during a single cleanup on February 17.
The Brooklyn Bridge, opened in 1883 as the world's longest suspension bridge at the time and now accommodating over 120,000 vehicles and 30,000 pedestrians daily, has long been a symbol of American engineering ingenuity and a magnet for millions of visitors annually. However, this "trash tagging" phenomenon, observed even during ongoing cleanups, underscores growing concerns about overtourism and vandalism on public infrastructure.
Local resident Ellen Baum from Prospect Heights has taken it upon herself to combat the mess, dedicating 90 minutes to two hours daily to untie and dispose of the litter, which she calls "f–king disgusting." Supported by groups like Pick Up Pigeons, Baum documents her efforts on social media, arguing that the bridge's true art lies in its structure and the interactions it fosters, not in added refuse.
The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), responsible for the bridge's upkeep, conducts routine sweeps but has not disclosed cleanup frequencies or the number of recent littering tickets issued, simply stating that such debris detracts from the enjoyment of "America’s Eiffel Tower" and burdens maintenance crews. Under NYC sanitation laws, littering carries fines of $100 to $300 for first offenses, with repeat violations escalating to $450, though enforcement on the bridge appears inconsistent, as similar issues with vendors and locks have persisted despite prohibitions.
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This trash-tying fad represents an evolution of the "love locks" tradition, which began in Serbia during World War I as a symbol of enduring romance but gained modern popularity through a 2006 Italian novel, spreading to bridges worldwide, including Paris's Pont des Arts, where 45 tons of locks caused structural damage and were removed in 2015.
On the Brooklyn Bridge, love locks emerged around 2010, leading to thousands being clipped off by the DOT in 2016 amid $100 fines for vandalism, yet remnants persist alongside the newer garbage additions as tourists improvise without padlocks. Critics like passerby Marilie Padua from Toronto decry it as a sign of "empty thoughts," while some participants claim it brings "good luck," highlighting a clash between fleeting tourist whims and preservation efforts.
The incident raises broader questions about the environmental toll of overtourism on landmarks, with similar litter trends observed at sites like the Angeles National Forest's painted trash bins and global calls to end love locks due to their cumulative weight and cleanup costs.
In NYC, where garbage issues have inspired art installations from discarded materials, this bridge defacement amplifies calls for stricter enforcement, perhaps through hidden cameras or increased patrols, to protect historic sites. As Baum notes, the ongoing additions despite cleanups suggest a need for education on respectful tourism, lest such "authentic" acts turn revered spaces into literal dumping grounds.