By SILE MOLONEY
Photo courtesy of Sanitation Department via Flickr
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has announced a relaunch of its arts program, “Art Truckswhich offers New York artists the opportunity to creatively paint a garbage collection truck.
“Trucks of Art” is open to all artists – professionals, amateurs and budding artists. Priority will be given to proposals that encourage New Yorkers to use wastebaskets and recycle, or those that honor DSNY essential workers. To promote sustainability, artists are challenged to use paints that would otherwise be thrown away or recycled.
Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said DSNY’s fleet is part of the cityscape. “We’re thrilled that New York artists are turning collection trucks into traveling works of art that will add some flair to our neighborhoods.” She added, “We are thrilled that local artists are using our ‘canvas’ to encourage New Yorkers to keep our city clean.
Those interested in applying should email a brief description of their idea with design mockups and why they would like to be selected, along with contact information and a short bio to TrashTalk@dsny.nyc.gov. Full details of the “Trucks of Art” project, including full submission information, are available in the section titled “Request for Expressions of Interest” at http://nyc.gov/truckart.
All submissions should be emailed to Sunday, September 18 at 11:59 p.m.. The department will choose the finalists and provide the paint, and will also provide access to the trucks for the paint in late September and early October.
Image courtesy of NYC Department of Sanitation
Non-artist New Yorkers can also get involved. The department is asking residents to support this initiative by dropping off their unwanted paints (cans, aerosols, tubes) at an upcoming SAFE disposal event or at the department’s special waste collection points. Artists can select the paints they will need, and the rest will be recycled or properly disposed of.
This is DSNY’s second Trucks of Art program. Learn more about the 2019 Art Trucks program by clicking on the link and view photos of the painted trucks in the Call for Expression of Interest section.
DSNY officials say the city’s sanitation department keeps New York City healthy, safe, and clean by collecting, recycling, and disposing of trash, cleaning streets and vacant lots, and clearing snow and ice. . The department operates 59 neighborhood garages and manages a fleet of more than 2,000 rear-loading collection trucks, 450 sweepers and 705 salt spreaders.
They say DSNY workers are clearing trash, snow and ice from about 6,500 miles of city streets and removing debris from vacant lots as well as abandoned vehicles from city streets. Officials say the department also operates a portfolio of programs and facilities to help New Yorkers manage waste more sustainably.
Check out our previous story to find out if the City’s new waste management plans will help solve the waste overload.