Sometimes works of art can come from the strangest places. For the Cochrane Eco Centre – it is coming from a waste compactor.
The compactor will have a large mural painted on the outside of it based on a theme that has to do with the environment and waste reduction.
The mural is a collaborative effort between the Cochrane Eco Centre and the Town of Cochrane’s Arts and Recreation department. Volunteer artist Jennifer Robertson will paint the outline of the mural and community volunteers and local kids from the community will complete the rest of the project.
Sharon Howland, manager of waste and recycling for the Town of Cochrane, said that although they have just gotten started on the project she is excited to see the finished product – artwork that will make the community more aware of waste reduction.
“I saw it and I was like, ‘It’s brown. OK. There could be worse colours,’” said Howland with a laugh, as she looked at the large compactor near the front of the Eco Centre’s lot. “But I thought it would be really fun to use it as a billboard, because it will be pulled into Calgary.”
The compactor is to be used for people in Cochrane who have additional garbage they need to dispose of or people who do not have garbage pickup service in Rocky View County. Howland said they encourage people to come to the Eco Centre and use it instead of putting their garbage in a burning barrel.
The compactor will be pulled into Calgary six to eight times a year, making it a travelling billboard for waste reduction in the Cochrane and Calgary area.
“I think Cochranites really hold a close value of the environment,” said Howland, as she looked out on the rolling green hills and mountains that are the backdrop to the Eco Centre.
Howland points out the success of other waste reduction projects like the “Zero Waste Pancake Breakfast” and the bike share program – where bikes are dropped off at the Eco Centre and are free for people to take if they need one.
The Eco Centre also has seasonal cleanup programs where they accept leaves and grass, as well as tree trimmings and branches. They also accept pumpkins after Halloween and Christmas trees following the holiday season.
Howland said that recycling can be easy and that people can do “something as easy as bringing a reusable bag to the grocery story” to make a difference.
Howland said the final compactor mural would be unveiled during Waste Reduction Week, which is Oct. 20 – 26.
