But not David Clarke. Clarke believes cleaning up is about more than getting rid of garbage.
"It's about making people feel cared for," Clarke said. "It's about taking responsibility for our communities and feeling like we can participate in our communities."
Clarke is starting a rubbish revolution. Videos he posts to his social media account -- @trashtalk_nyc -- are blowing up.
And they are inspiring an army of fellow volunteers.
"Just in these first two weeks, we've already had 900,000 views and raised $3,000 for volunteer events, and we have four events this weekend," Clarke said.
A meet-up in Harlem Friday was advertised on his social media and the Trash Talk website, where there's always an updated schedule.
Clarke believes the responsibility for keeping the city clean is a shared one---the government and businesses do their part, but so should we.
"Ultimately, the people who live in that area will care the most about making it beautiful," Clarke said.
Clarke's inspiration is his mother, who came to New York in the 80s from Japan.
"It's a different culture for cleanliness," Clarke said. "Every day, in Japan, you'll see people sweeping right in front of their home, in front of their businesses and that's what I think we need in New York."
The Columbia University grad works as an academic tutor, leaving mornings free for daily clean-ups.
"Every day I'm usually getting up around 6 a.m., start filming around 7 a.m. and in every borough," Clarke said.
Residents we spoke to said the city needs more people like him.
"I wish everyone had a heart like David," Evelyn Robinson, a Lifespire Employee, said. "It is just, just so kind, what he is doing."
And good begets good. Robinson, who works with special needs adults looking for volunteer opportunities, just saw Clarke in action and now they're talking about collaborating.
Clarke takes clips from locals on where to go next. One of the toughest spots he recently cleaned was a Bronx park on 149th and Third Avenue.
"There was a bullet on the ground right outside of the school," Clarke said.
And another South Bronx park was littered with needles and syringes.
It's hard not to be inspired by Clarke, so Eyewitness News anchor Tanya Rivero went to work.
"There is something about making your sidewalk clean that is just so satisfying. The cigarettes are tough," Rivero said.
"Yeah, cigarettes are tough," Clarke said.
And in a tough city like New York, we could definitely use people like him.
"There's a psychological calmness that comes from a clean street and that's what I'm trying to give families, even if it's just for a day," Clarke said.
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