Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the appointment of Gregory Anderson as Commissioner of the Department of Sanitation (DSNY). Anderson will lead the nation's largest municipal waste management agency, with nearly 10,000 employees who collect 24 million pounds of waste each day and keep the city's 6,000 miles of streets clean and clear of snow.
Anderson returns to DSNY after nearly a decade of experience at the agency. He was a key architect of the city's "Trash Revolution," advancing waste containerization and public space cleanliness initiatives. He also helped negotiate landmark legislation establishing commercial waste zones and mandatory curbside composting. He previously served as a founding board member of the Sanitation Foundation, DSNY's nonprofit partner.
Most recently, Gregory served as Deputy Director of State Operations for Governor Kathy Hochul, supporting the day-to-day management of more than 70 state agencies and authorities serving 20 million New York State residents. He led interagency emergency management efforts, coordinating responses to snowstorms, floods and other emergencies, as well as preparedness for major events.
After deftly guiding DSNY for a year and four months as Acting Commissioner, including through the historic snowfall and sustained cold of 2026, Javier Lojan will resume his role as First Deputy Commissioner.
"This is a well-deserved homecoming," said Mayor Mamdani. "As Commissioner, Gregory will carry forward the transformative projects he helped build, from waste containerization and curbside composting to commercial waste reform. He joins DSNY at a pivotal moment. This winter, New York's Strongest showed what public service at its best looks like, working 12-hour shifts over more than 40 days to plow thousands of streets and clear record numbers of crosswalks and bus stops. I want to thank Javier for his leadership and continued service, and I look forward to working with Gregory to keep pushing forward to build a cleaner, healthier and more just city for all New Yorkers."
"DSNY is in good hands with Gregory Anderson, an experienced innovator who spent nearly a decade at the agency modernizing how we keep our city clean and moving," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. "With his background in sanitation, environmental policy and emergency response, he is ready to lead New York's Strongest during this new era for our city. I am so grateful to Javier for guiding the agency for over a year and through a historic winter and his continued leadership as First Deputy Commissioner. I look forward to seeing the great things DSNY will accomplish for all who call New York home."
"As we have all seen over the last two months, DSNY provides some of the most essential services for New Yorkers. Under the Mayor's leadership, we will start a new era for our city's neighborhoods, one where cleanliness is measured not by the absence of trash but by vitality and well-maintained public spaces," said DSNY Commissioner Gregory Anderson. "As Commissioner, I will work tirelessly to deliver on the promise of a clean city - one where every New Yorker leaves their home to a block they take pride in, a neighborhood they cherish and a city that helps them thrive. Thank you, Mayor Mamdani, for this incredible opportunity."
"I am pleased to welcome Greg Anderson as the new DSNY Commissioner, and I'm confident that the Department will continue to thrive under his leadership," said DSNY First Deputy Commissioner Javier Lojan. "Serving as Acting Commissioner has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I am proud of the work we accomplished together on behalf of New Yorkers. As I transition back to my role as First Deputy Commissioner, I remain fully committed to supporting the Department's mission and ensuring a seamless transition as we continue delivering for New York City every day."
"As a resident, I'm thrilled to see Greg take on the role of Sanitation Commissioner. Having worked closely with him in both city and state government, I've seen his ability to navigate complex operations firsthand," said Kathryn Garcia, Executive Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and former DSNY Commissioner. "From emergency snow response to waste and environmental policy expertise, he has what it takes to deliver a cleaner, healthier and more livable New York City."
About Gregory Anderson
Anderson most recently served as Deputy Director of State Operations for Gov. Kathy Hochul, overseeing daily operations across New York State government, including more than 70 agencies and authorities. He led interagency emergency management efforts and supported rebuilding the public workforce following the COVID-19 pandemic.
He previously spent nearly a decade at DSNY, where he held senior leadership roles, directed policy priorities across two mayoral administrations and managed major initiatives, including waste containerization and universal curbside composting. He also held roles in policy, external affairs and operations at DSNY and the Department of Environmental Protection.
Anderson earned a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University and a Master of Public Administration from NYU's Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. He lives in Queens with his wife, 2-year-old daughter and German shepherd.
