After I recently returned on a 2+ week journey to Australia (more on that later…), I was walking over the Whole Foods… and couldn’t help but notice how beautiful our trashcans were in Philly.

Say whattt?

I’m not crazy. As a part of the Street Department’s UnLitter Us movement, Litter Critter BigBelly trash compactors were designed and painted by artists & students as a part of Mural Arts’ Big Picture Program in part to celebrate Earth Month.  The decorated BigBellies were painted to encourage people to use sustainable trash cans and not litter. This same campaign painted the recycle trucks last year.

These new designs lining South Street showcase creative designs inspired by “litter bugs”.  Artists Ben Woodward & Thom Lessner from the Philadelphia collective space 1026 collaborated with Big Picture (Kids aged 10-14 get mural training & visual arts education) students to design the concept and creations.

Here are some of the creations:

and a painted Mural Arts recycle truck to remind of us of a green goal:

Posted by Julie

Photos courtesy of Phila Streets Department UnLitter Us Campaign

array(3) {
  [0]=>
  object(WP_Term)#12730 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(1326)
    ["name"]=>
    string(8) "BigBelly"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(8) "bigbelly"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(1336)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(2)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [1]=>
  object(WP_Term)#10418 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(873)
    ["name"]=>
    string(31) "Philadelphia Streets Department"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(31) "philadelphia-streets-department"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(877)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(38)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [2]=>
  object(WP_Term)#10414 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(774)
    ["name"]=>
    string(11) "UnLitter Us"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(11) "unlitter-us"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(778)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(6)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
}

Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher