Sections: Concept & strategy | Photos & video | My role | Credits
Concept & strategy
I created this project to raise awareness of the benefit of recycling, generate goodwill at the local recycling centers, and start a public conversation around waste reduction.
At the time, Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) was using 22 foot-long containers to collect recycling at 7 drop-off centers around Chittenden County. They transported these containers to and from the sorting facility where the recyclables are processed. Through The Art of Recycling, we invited artists from the community to cover these “traveling billboards” with themed murals that told a story about recycling and its impact on the local community.
I brought in Mary Lacy, a Vermont-based mural artist, to manage the 9 artists that would be painting the murals. Together, we approached Dealer.com, a software company in Burlington, VT that had demonstrated support for arts initiatives in the community, and they agreed to provide a grant to fund the project.
Overall, we painted 8 recycling containers, which have been in use by the public and traveling across the county ever since. The project has been featured multiple times on Vermont Edition, a popular program on Vermont Public Radio, and generated earned media on TV, in statewide print media outlets, and national recycling publications.
Learn more on the Chittenden Solid Waste District webpage for The Art of Recycling.
Photos & video
My role
I initiated and managed the project, including container transportation, warehouse agreement, artist contracts & payments. I created and managed a Facebook page for The Art of Recycling, which was the primary tool for ongoing publicity and engagement while the project was in process, and I filmed and edited drone videos featuring the creation of several of the murals.
Credits
The Art of Recycling was funded through a grant from Dealer.com.
Artists: Mary Lacy, Anthill Collective, Jeff Hodgdon, Sloan Collins, Sarah-Lee Terrat, Abby Manock, Max Hodgson, Clark Derbes & Wylie Garcia.
Image credits: Michael Sipe, John Sappo