Trash Cans as Canvases: Art, Action & a Litter-Free Woonasquatucket
Talk trash with us. We’ve launched an initiative to keep the Woonasquatucket River clean — one beautifully painted trash can at a time.
This spring and summer, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) rolled out the first phase of the Litter-Free Woonasquatucket Campaign, a community-driven, art-powered effort to keep our Greenway cleaner, greener, and more inviting for everyone.
Partnering with RIDOT as part of the statewide Litter-Free Rhode Island initiative, WRWC is taking a hyperlocal approach — working directly with neighbors, artists, and strategists to address litter where it starts: on land.
Turning Trash Cans into Public Art
A common frustration we’ve heard from community members: Where are the trash cans? So we decided to meet that need — and go further. We commissioned local artists to transform everyday bins into vivid, eye-catching reminders that our trash doesn’t disappear… it travels.
These functional art pieces are now installed along key Greenway locations in Providence: Eagle Square, Riverside Park, the Manton Outdoor Classroom, the Donigian Park Pollinator Garden, and the Salmon Street Gateway. Each one is as unique as the artist behind it.
Meet the Artists
Ava Varszegi, a natural science illustrator, brings a field guide vibe to her bin with local species from RI’s plant, fungi, and animal kingdoms arranged in a radiant color gradient. “I want to celebrate the biodiversity we share space with — and draw attention to the bins we often overlook,” she says.
website: avavarszegi.com
e-mail: avarszeg@alumni.risd.edu
instagram @avavarszegi
Grechel Rosado’s two bold concepts, NOURISH ME / NUTRIME and PROTECT YOUR SPACE, use block printing and street art aesthetics to remind us that taking care of our spaces is a form of self-care — and community care. Her portraits and patterns are a call to action in both English and Spanish.
website: yosoygrechel.com
e-mail: gmrprints97@gmail.com
instagram @yosoygrechel
Quinn Corey, a painter and birdwatcher, integrates urban birding into his work. His trash bin features native birds seen along the Woonasquatucket — connecting his love of Riverside Park with a message of shared stewardship.
All artists were paid for their work, and WRWC River Rangers will be maintaining and emptying the bins regularly. This isn’t just about art — it’s infrastructure, awareness, and engagement.
website: quinncorey.com
e-mail: ChromaCouncil@gmail.com
instagram @quinntronix
From Focus Groups to Front Doors: The Campaign, Before the Campaign
This movement isn’t just about adding more bins — it’s about changing behavior through education and community input.
We’ve teamed up with Katie Schibler & Associates to design a strategic, locally informed public awareness campaign targeted at the lower Woonasquatucket Watershed — including Olneyville, Manton, Mt. Pleasant, and Valley. These neighborhoods are where street litter is most likely to flow directly into the river during storms.
Together, we’re:
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Hosting focus groups to hear from residents about what messages resonate
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Launching a community survey to gather insight on how people think about litter
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Developing banners, signage, and digital messaging to reflect community voices
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Rolling out bin stickers on residential carts along the Greenway’s on-road portions to remind us: The river starts here.
This is the campaign before the campaign — built with you, not just for you.
📋 Tell Us What You Think — Take the Survey!
Your voice matters. What do you think would stop people from littering? What kind of messaging would make you take a second look before tossing something on the ground?
🟢 Take the Survey Here (ENGLISH) →
🟢 Responda la Encuesta Aquí (ESPAÑOL) →
Why It Matters
Litter doesn’t stay where you drop it. In the Woonasquatucket Watershed, trash left on land washes into storm drains and ends up in the river — harming fish, birds, and even the people who rely on clean, accessible green space.
Our River Rangers remove hundreds of pounds of trash each year. But cleanup is only one part of the solution. To make a lasting impact, we need to shift our mindset and invest in long-term community education, creative placemaking, and shared responsibility.