Garcia's resignation becomes effective later this month, and the department says her last day will be September 18.
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At his daily news conference Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio thanked Garcia for her service and wished her well.
Raw Video: Mayor de Blasio on Kathryn Garcia
In the latest episode of Up Close, Garcia talked about her potential run.
Garcia started as an intern in New York City's Department of Sanitation and worked her way up to commissioner of the department in 2014.
It is the world's largest municipal waste management agency, with over 10,000 workers collecting 10,000 tons of garbage every day.
Garcia is also head of New York's emergency food program, which has delivered 100 million free meals during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Meanwhile, Stringer announced his candidacy for mayor from Inwood Hill Park in Upper Manhattan, near his childhood home.
"I believe in this city's future, because I am a son of Washington Heights, where we are strong, and where we fight for our future," he said. "This city is strong. Our people are strong...If I'm elected, we are going to build this city back stronger than ever."
Garcia is one of three de Blasio administrators looking at running for mayor. There's also former Counsel Maya Wiley and former Veteran Affairs Commissioner Loree Sutton.
But the big names are still mulling over a run including Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
But on Tuesday it was Stringer who lashed out at de Blasio and what he called his lack of leadership on reopening schools and for how he's treated New Yorkers during a summer of protest over racial injustice.
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"The mayor and the police commissioner repeatedly excused the inexcusable, defended the indefensible, and failed to take responsibility for violence against New Yorkers," Stringer said.
WATCH Up Close on our Connected TV apps for Fire, Roku, Apple TV and Android TV. Click here to learn more.
Up Close with Bill Ritter airs Sunday mornings at 11:00 on Channel 7.
RELATED: Watch more episodes of Up Close
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