More Garbage Cans = Less Litter?

The inspiration for this project arose when I was revisiting freshman work photographing the city's copious piles of trash bags. Reflecting on its limitations in conveying the true scale of the issue, I wanted to do things differently this time. I wanted to lead by example by getting my hands dirty to make a quantifiable difference instead of just observing from the sidelines. In New York, you might notice that garbage cans populate some trash-ridden areas, yet you can’t see any in others; my intrigue towards this relationship functioned as the basis of this project. 

The images document my clean-up effort in various lower Manhattan neighborhoods. Equating the length between four streets to the length between two avenues, I walked around the neighborhoods in a spiral pattern, attempting to cover each area holistically. I invite the viewer to ponder the same question that I did: "Would having more garbage cans mean less litter?" Think about your role in all of this. Do you see anything familiar in all these piles? While individual actions may seem small, they collectively hold the power to effect significant change. Whether it's walking a few extra steps to dispose of a cigarette butt or holding onto trash until finding a bin, each gesture contributes to a cleaner environment. So, walk those few steps, wait until you see a bin; don't underestimate your ability to make a difference; seize the opportunity to be the change our communities need.