Public sanitation is a topic not many want to talk about, but everyone notices when it’s not working. Trash cans overflowing, streets reeking, and potholes accessorized with puddles—these cities might just take the crown for, well, stinking. Stick around because the next slides will leave you clutching your air freshener in disbelief.

New Orleans, Louisiana

When storm drains double as trash collectors, you know there’s a problem. New Orleans struggles with a waste management system stretched too thin that leaves streets littered and gutters clogged. The city’s charm can only do so much to mask the mess, especially during festival season when the trash piles reach epic proportions.

Baltimore, Maryland

Overflowing bins and debris-strewn sidewalks paint an unfortunate picture in Baltimore. The city’s sanitation services face challenges with illegitimate dumping and an aging infrastructure. Public spaces suffer the most, where litter seems to have been declared permanent residency. Community members lament that Baltimore’s grit overflows from its personality onto its streets.

Detroit, Michigan

Detroit’s sanitation woes stem from financial strain and understaffed cleanup crews. Natives frequently encounter neglected alleys and inconsistent garbage pickups. The city’s revitalization efforts struggle against the sheer volume of accumulated waste. This leaves neighborhoods frustrated and sometimes fighting their own battles against the mounting trash heaps.

San Francisco, California

The Golden Gate city is a paradox: stunning vistas marred by questionable street hygiene. Public sanitation complaints skyrocket, with sidewalks often littered with garbage and worse. Despite being home to tech moguls, its waste management services appear to lag in efficiency, which causes locals and tourists to hold their breaths—literally.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Affectionately called the “City of Brotherly Love,” Philly’s sanitation issues don’t let its residents feel the love. Overflowing trash cans and stray garbage are common sights exacerbated by underfunded public services. Locals joke that dodging litter on the streets is practically a regional pastime. However, the stench is no laughing matter.

Miami, Florida

Beaches may sparkle but head inland, and Miami reveals a less glamorous side. Poor sanitation services lead to littered parks, neglected neighborhoods, and rodent sightings that aren’t part of the local wildlife tours. The contrast between its pristine tourist areas and struggling residential zones highlights a glaring disparity.

St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis faces an uphill battle against illegitimate dumping and insufficient trash pickups. Some neighborhoods are overrun with discarded furniture, construction debris, and everyday waste. Locals have grown so frustrated they’ve turned to DIY cleanups to prove that if city services don’t step up, residents reluctantly do.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Far from the allure of the casinos, Sin City reveals a grittier side. In residential areas, sanitation services lag behind the population boom, leaving trash-strewn alleys and neglected lots. Residents often complain that the city’s famed glamour hides a troubling divide in cleanliness.

Houston, Texas

Houston’s sprawling nature makes sanitation a logistical nightmare. Overflowing dumpsters, littered streets, and backyard waste buildup plague parts of the city. Flood-prone areas make the issue worse, with storm drains doubling as garbage chutes. Towners wish Houston’s booming economy could extend to a more efficient waste system.

Los Angeles, California

The glitz of Hollywood contrasts sharply with Los Angeles’ waste woes. Overflowing alleyways, litter-strewn streets, and hazardous waste issues expose a broken system. A booming population continues to strain sanitation services, leaving the sprawling city battling a growing trash problem that undermines its glamorous image.