Dedham Talking Trash As #TrashTalk Exhibit Opens

DEDHAM, MA - On the evening of Friday, February 1st, Dedham Public Library and Dedham Department of Public Works hosted the soft launch of the #TrashTalk community exhibit at the DPL Main branch library. Designed to spark civic conversation and action around issues of trash and recycling, the kick off event attracted over 75 attendees, including DPW’s Joe Flanagan and Andrea Brown, an energized library staff, as well as several of the exhibiting artists. The kick-off event featured trash-art galleries, interactive displays, information, conversation, and light refreshments.

While many citizens in Massachusetts are eager to recycle, the Commonwealth is battling a growing volume of trash that is increasingly making its way into recycling containers. This contaminates recycling loads, which stops the processing of true recyclables, increases processing costs, and, in some cases, is subjecting workers to injuries at material recovery facilities (MRFs).

In response to this issue, the Dedham Public Library, in partnership with the Dedham Department of Public Works, has launched this four and half-month long community exploration & exhibition called #TrashTalk. Launched last Friday, the initiative will run through June 15. Organizers hope to engage the public in a longer-term, more inclusive discussion around the issues of trash and recycling.

The #TrashTalk exhibit kicked off with trash-themed pieces from ten different artists ranging from photographs of trash in urban settings, painting on reclaimed wood, dolls from repurposed fabric, and creations made from metal scraps. The creative exhibitors include Melissa Glick, Mary Hogan, Julianne Hooper, Cristin Houlihan & Caralin Gulley of Love & Grace Girls, Patti Hudson, Kevin Long, Juliana Pijar, Reverend Rali Weaver, and Dennis Stein.

One art piece created by DPL staff members - called “High Tea” - features a punch bowl filled alcohol nip bottles picked up around Dedham, accompanied by tea cups filled with cigarette butts. DPL’s Circulation and Collections Manager Amber Moroney noted, “When we were out collecting trash, we were shocked by the number of nip bottles we were finding. Sadly, we were able to collect more than enough nips and butts for the art piece in only about 30 minutes.”

Another unique display featured “data string” which will help record how many people come through the exhibit, as well as a way to collect feedback about recycling habits, how community members prefer to be engaged, and if they feel their voices are being heard on these issues. Maroney reports, “The data string exhibit has been a big hit so far and the responses are pretty eye-opening, so we encourage the community to come see the growing number of results.”

Over the course of the next few months, the library will continue the program with more art and engaging displays designed to crowdsource ideas from the community to tackle this critical social and environmental issue.

DPL Library Director Bonnie Roalsen and DPW Director Joe Flanagan are excited about the response to the #TrashTalk program. Roalsen shares, “We’re excited to help provide a creative way to invited everyone in the community to engage in a new kind of community-driven problem-solving. If the soft launch is any indication, we’re going to have a really vibrant program over the next few months, and, I think, really position Dedham as a leader in the Commonwealth in regard to trash reduction and smart recycling.”

More information about #TrashTalk can be found on the Dedham Public Library website http://www.dedhamlibrary.com, and DPL Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dedha...

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