Hiding the Trash Cans

Garden, garage, garbage. Patio sightlines of recycling and trash bins can evoke not-so-fresh feelings pre-BBQ. The Walker's current Suburban Landscapes got us thinking about trash and how to hide it. If city-sponsored receptacles looked like these from C-Lab's installation, concealment would be unnecessary.

An outside/inside view of the corrugated back wall of our fence. It masks the ubiquitous Midwest alley and its attendant trash, weeds, recycling, garages, etc.

Can-sized screens are easy access and easier on the eyes

Even laissez-faire plantings create a green & affordable natural barrier. Zone-4 hardy bamboo varieties offer a modern alternative that will stand up to a Mpls winter

To do: See the glorious garbage cans of C-Lab and other provocations at Walker Art Center's Worlds Away: New Suburban Landscapes until August 17

Photo: Walker Art Center

Comments (2)

In some places concealment of the cans is the law. In SF we have to keep them concealed and secure. Homeless often get into the cans and look for recyclabes. In the process they usually dump the other items over the sidewalk.

i asked my garbage company if i could paint mine. they said no. : (