Tiburon trash bins to showcase children’s art
Tiburon plans to install trash containers that feature artwork from local youths.
The Tiburon Town Council voted unanimously to approve the project at its meeting on Wednesday. The project is being led by a group called Painted Bins.
Kathryn Huber, founder of Painted Bins, called the program “both inspirational and educational.” Painted Bins is an affiliate program of Sustainable Marin, which helps reduce food waste.
“The art on the bins actually beautifies our communities,” she said. “It turns an ordinary waste collection bin into a piece of art.”
The town’s Heritage and Arts Commission approved the $32,300 project for the Town Council’s consideration in February.
The funding will pay for five trash bins: three triple-stations for recycling, trash and compost, and two offering recycling and trash. The bins will be 50-gallon receptacles that are animal proof, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities and have foot pedals that allow for hands-free disposal.
“It’s these kinds of projects that are always so inspiring,” said Councilmember Jon Welner. “It’s not anything that we think of, it’s the things that come up that really enhance the community.”
The art is part of an contest at schools intended to provide inspiring messages about recycling, Huber said. The art will be changed annually. The cost of photo processing will be handled by organizers.
Corte Madera recently took on a similar project. The town plans to place eight bins in Town Park in early 2023 that feature art from students at Neil Cummins Elementary School, according to a staff report.
Tiburon will provide funding for the project through Zero Waste Marin, a joint powers authority in which the town is a member. Each year, member agencies receive grant funds to assist in waste reduction.
This year the town is eligible for up to $31,337 in funding. The town would cover the $963 shortfall with funds from the previous year.
The Marin County Hazardous and Solid Waste Management Joint Powers Authority administers the program and offers reimbursements to agencies for waste collection. The group has allocated $667,708 for reimbursements this year.
Town Manager Greg Chanis said the town received annual funding as part of its participation in the authority.
Chanis said the project could help ensure compliance with SB 1383, a state law that requires counties to collaborate with jurisdictions on organic waste recycling and food recovery to divert organic waste from landfills.
“This would be a very appropriate project to use this funding for,” he said. “Edible food waste is one of the highest priorities for us to work on.”