Is there a trash receptacle in your town that has its own fan fest? Probably not. What about googly eyes? Yeah, that’s a new one for us, too. We’re excited to be profiling such a unique trash collection innovation on this week’s Public Works Radio.

It’s called Mr. Trash Wheel, and it’s a trash collecting waterwheel in Baltimore with trademark googly eyes, and it’s now 12 years old. The infrastructure has grown to four different trash wheels throughout the area and it’s nothing short of innovative, with the capability of gobbling up 500 tons of litter and debris each year.

It’s also gone viral several times, like the time it caught a python. The idea began when Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, a local nonprofit in Maryland, wanted to improve the health and water quality of Baltimore’s harbor.

Joining us this week is Adam Lindquist, the Vice President of the Waterfront Partnership, and Chelsea Anspach, who serves as the Senior Manager of Outreach and Engagement with the nonprofit, to discuss this technology that was the brainchild of inventor John Kellett.

It has become a cultural icon in Baltimore and beyond, and according to Adam, none of this could have been pulled off without their close working relationship with the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. Even the nearby Public Works Experience museum in Baltimore has been instrumental with support.

And as Chelsea puts it best, “the subject of trash can be depressing, but Mr. Trash Wheel makes it really hopeful.”

The end result is the perfect mix of entertainment, community service, social engagement, and data collection that’s actually been used to shape legislation and inspire art projects. And other communities around the globe have taken notice, with similar initiatives being replicated around the world.

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone, from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven't already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at podcast@apwa.org so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Resources

Mr. Trash Wheel website: https://www.mrtrashwheel.com/ Mr. Trash Wheel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrtrashwheel/ About the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore: https://www.waterfrontpartnership.org/ Viral YouTube video of Mr. Trash Wheel in a rain storm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5l7s6wC50g Public Works Experience museum: https://pwexperience.org/ Baltimore City Department of Public Works: https://www.baltimorecity.gov/publicworks Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory: https://bosl.ucsb.edu/