Trash Dragon - Mythical Litter Buster

Trash dragon started with an idea that I had when friends reached out to me about participating in the #IMPACTLANCASTER challenge from the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry in an effort to combat litter in a fun and engaging way. The #IMPACTLANCASTER project encouraged our community to come up with solutions to challenges, making the Lancaster region better.

Trash dragon didn’t win the challenge, but my group of teammates still wanted to bring it to life. One of our group members, Emily Landis who at the time was Execuitive Director of the Lancaster Science Factory partnered with fellow team member, Janeen Maxwell, and applied for and received a Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful grant of $1,000, enough for a bike, a hitch, two shopping carts and supplies. The Common Wheel helped assemble the bike and artist Salina Almanzar-Oree joined the team to help with sculptural elements. Our group hosted several free build sessions at the Lancaster Science Factory and debuted the Trash Dragon during neighborhood clean ups.

Trash Dragon even marched in the Governors Arts Awards Art Parade and handed out stickers (designed by artist Austin Lord) and information on how to work with the City of Lancaster to conduct your own neighborhood trash clean up.

Eventually the Lancaster Science Factory could no longer home Trash Dragon. Our partners at the Common Wheel adopted the bike to have available for other neighborhood clean up events.