Tourists tie pules of trash -- including tampons, condoms, panties -- to Brooklyn Bridge in disgusting trend
Share this @internewscast.com

Brooklyn’s iconic bridge has become the latest canvas for a peculiar trend sweeping through the city, as visitors leave behind an array of trashy tokens. The bridge, a beloved symbol of New York, is now littered with everything from hairbands and tissues to more unsavory items like condoms and even underwear.

These unsightly offerings are tied to a beleaguered fence at the bridge’s center, accumulating at such a rapid pace that volunteer cleanup teams struggle to keep up. The influx of debris has become a daily occurrence, much to the dismay of those attempting to maintain the bridge’s aesthetic charm.

Helen Burton, visiting from Birmingham, England, recounted her family’s spontaneous contribution to the clutter. “We literally just walked past it and seen it and got excited,” she shared, describing how her daughters and a friend attached hair ties—known as “bobbles” in the UK—to the fence.

The family, unaware of the trend before their walk, found themselves captivated by the quirky ritual and eager to join in. “It’s something we had on us, so we thought it’s quite nice!” Burton explained, highlighting the casual nature of their participation.

This trend, while adding a personal touch for tourists, poses a persistent challenge for those dedicated to preserving the bridge’s cleanliness and integrity. As the city grapples with this unconventional form of expression, the battle to keep the Brooklyn Bridge pristine continues.

The group had not heard of the trend before embarking on their stroll across the landmark, but were eager to participate.

“We can leave something here to show that we’ve been here,” said Amelie, 13, with her sister, 11-year-old Jess, adding that the trash heap seemed “authentic.”

The nasty trend has been plaguing the Brooklyn Bridge on-and-off for years, but skyrocketed in recent weeks as the city’s attention was seized elsewhere by the recent cold snap and monster snow dumping — prompting locals to take matters into their own hands to clean up the embarrassing trash heap.

“I walk over the bridge almost every day. And one day I was just like ‘I’ve had enough!’” said Ellen Baum, of Prospect Heights, who has documented her impressive trash collection on social media every day since Feb. 3.

It takes Baum roughly 90 minutes to clear a “section” of the fence — or the short spacing between the two poles — but the undeterred tourists continue to walk up and tie their candy wrappers even as they watch her removing the trash.

“It’s just f–king disgusting,” said Baum, 37, saying she’s been met with “detractors” who say the trash wall is a symbol of global art.

“I just disagree completely. The interactions and conversations that take place on the bridge are the art. The bridge itself is the art. We don’t need to put literal trash on it,” she continued.

“There is no other like monumental, or landmarks that people would think it’s OK to do this. I don’t know why people are compelled to do it. I also have a lot of love in my life, and I’ve never once felt compelled to tie literal trash to a fence to show it.”

On Monday, with the help of Pick Up Pigeons, a volunteer group of trash collectors, Baum ripped off nearly 13 pounds “of tissues, hair ties, receipts, and Band-Aids” from the Brooklyn Bridge.

But by Wednesday, an entire wall of trash was still standing, and The Post watched as dozens of pedestrians added their own pieces to the repulsive mosaic.

“It’s good luck,” one litterbug said after tying plastic to the fence.

Darcey Baldock, 16, of London, stopped to tie a scrunchie to the pile “because everyone else is.”

“The bridge is so iconic, and it’s like leaving a part of us behind,” her mother, Victoria, added.

The family admitted that the scene wasn’t “very pretty,” and would look better if tourists decided to leave behind personal items like bracelets or locks — which is illegal — rather than tissues, plastic and underwear.

Plenty of passersby showed visible signs of disgust on their faces as they strolled past the trash heap.

“It’s not the best look, but it is New York,” said Marilie Padua of Toronto, who accused all the tourists defacing the iconic bridge of having “empty thoughts.”

The Department of Transportation, which is responsible for caring for the Brooklyn Bridge, said it conducts routine cleaning sweeps along the pedestrian pathway, but could not say how often the patrols take place.

The agency also would not say how many tickets have been handed out in recent months for littering.

“The iconic Brooklyn Bridge has been called ‘America’s Eiffel Tower,’ and cluttering it with debris detracts from the enjoyment of everyone who uses the bridge and burdens the hard-working crews who maintain this historic landmark,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

The trash plague is an apparent escalation of the tourist problem that the city has been trying to curb on the Brooklyn Bridge for a decade.

Previously, tourists had overburdened the landmark with “love locks” in a poor imitation of the iconic Pont des Arts bridge in France — which buckled under the weight of the metal latches.

Thousands of locks continue to litter the Brooklyn Bridge, and there are several piles of clipped locks ditched across the wooden deck.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Georgia man who charged US Capitol with shotgun told police he wanted to 'talk' to Congress, court docs say

Georgia Man Arrested for Storming Capitol with Shotgun Claims Intent to ‘Talk’ to Congress, Court Documents Reveal

An 18-year-old from Georgia, who was apprehended with a loaded firearm on…
Uber in hot seat after probe finds violent offenders were cleared to drive passengers: report

Shockingly Dangerous: Uber’s Screening Failures Expose Passengers to Violent Drivers

The ride-sharing giant Uber is reportedly enhancing its background check procedures following…
College student dies in tragic ski accident at Wisconsin resort, marking second death within a month

Tragic Skiing Incident Claims Second Student’s Life at Wisconsin Resort in One Month

A tragic ski accident claimed the life of a 20-year-old college student…
NYC's iconic accent -- think 'Goodfellas' and 'A Bronx Tale' -- is slowly disappearing from daily lingo, study says

Disappearing Voices: Study Reveals Decline of NYC’s Iconic Accent in Modern Dialect

The iconic New York accent, known for its distinctive charm and recognizable…
Ex-Prince Andrew looks aghast in photos after arrest for Jeffrey Epstein ties

Ex-Prince Andrew’s Shocking Reaction Post-Arrest: The Epstein Connection Unveiled

Former Prince Andrew found himself in the spotlight once again on Thursday…
EPA to reform Biden's $5B electric school bus program by providing more fuel alternatives

EPA to Enhance Biden’s $5 Billion Electric School Bus Initiative with Expanded Fuel Options

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to revamp an…
Tom Steyer says he backs special election for additional corporate taxes

Tom Steyer Advocates for Special Election to Boost Corporate Taxes: What It Means for the Economy

California gubernatorial hopeful Tom Steyer is setting his sights on a 2027…
President Trump says an Iran attack decision likely 'over the next, probably 10 days'

Trump Anticipates Decision on Potential Iran Strike Within 10 Days

President Donald Trump has announced he is on the verge of deciding…
Woman finds 'smiling' rock on UK island

UK Island Discovery: Woman Uncovers Rare ‘Smiling’ Rock Formation

Open wide! During a recent trip with her husband, a woman’s quest…
Illegal immigrant truck driver accused of killing Indiana man after running red light

Truck Driver Charged in Fatal Indiana Crash After Allegedly Running Red Light

Authorities detained a truck driver on Wednesday, accusing him of running a…
Woman charged with animal abandonment after leaving dog tied at JetBlue counter at Las Vegas airport

Woman Faces Charges for Abandoning Dog at JetBlue Counter in Las Vegas Airport

An unusual and distressing incident unfolded at a Las Vegas airport when…
Trump gathers members of Board of Peace for first meeting, with some US allies wary of new body

Trump Convenes Inaugural Peace Board Meeting Amid Concerns from US Allies

WASHINGTON — A coalition of countries, including Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and…