New York’s Streets Are Dirty. Tokyo and Shanghai’s Are Not. Here’s Why.

"Shanghai is like a cleaner, safer version of NYC."

We’re sitting at a café in Shanghai, soaking up the sun and sipping some of the best cold brew in town. My friends from the U.S. drop that line casually, but it stops me for a second—not because it’s wrong, but because I’ve gotten used to it. After ten years here, I sometimes forget how rare this level of cleanliness is in a city this size.

In German, we say, "Der Mensch ist ein Gewohnheitstier"—humans are creatures of habit. You get used to things, especially the good ones. Sure, Shanghai has its rough edges, but overall, it’s undeniably tidy. My friends are right: When I last visited New York, I spent half the time dodging mountains of trash bags and overflowing bins while everyone else acted like it was no big deal.

So why the stark contrast? And what can the West learn from Asian megacities like Shanghai, Tokyo, and Singapore? Here’s what I’ve noticed.

1. How People See Public Space

• Collectivism vs. Individualism: Many Asian societies emphasize collective responsibility, where keeping shared spaces clean is seen as a civic duty. In contrast, Western individualism can lead to a "someone else will handle it" mindset.

• Shame and Social Pressure: In places like Japan, public shaming (implicit or explicit) discourages littering. Western cultures often prioritize personal freedom over social conformity.

2. Rules That Actually Get Enforced

• Singapore’s Model: The city-state imposes heavy fines for littering, chewing gum disposal, and even failing to flush public toilets. This strict deterrence works.

• Lax Enforcement in the West: Many Western cities have anti-littering laws but inconsistent enforcement. Activists sometimes argue fines disproportionately affect the homeless or poor.

  
  

3. Efficient Waste Management Systems

• Japan’s Cleanliness Ethos: Even without many public trash cans (due to past terrorism concerns), citizens carry their waste home. Municipal collection is highly organized.

• Western Underinvestment: Aging infrastructure, budget cuts, and bureaucratic inefficiencies lead to overflowing bins and delayed pickups in cities like New York or San Francisco.

  
  

4. Urban Density & Design

• High-Density Living: In Asian megacities, cleanliness is essential to prevent disease and maintain order in tight spaces.

• Car-Centric Western Cities: Suburban sprawl and fewer pedestrians can lead to neglect of public areas.

The result? Cleaner streets aren’t magic. They’re the product of mindset, management, and design.

What do you think the West could adopt? Drop your thoughts below.

Further Reading: New York City’s Filth: Understanding the Reasons Behind the Dirt