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It might sound like a curious partnership, but the City of Santa Monica and Heal the Bay have brought together trash and technology with a goal of getting more people tapped into environmental stewardship.
The Beachcast (Photo courtesy Heal the Bay)
500 just-wrapped trash cans on Santa Monica State Beach have eye-catching artwork that is enhanced by the inclusion of a QR code that connects smart phone users to a mobile site called the Santa Monica Beachcast.On the site, explains Heal the Bay, "users have access to a variety of local content, including tips on how to keep the beach clean, a chance to sign up for beach cleanups with Heal the Bay, the latest weather and water quality conditions, community Twitter updates, and important information about the beach, Santa Monica Pier and emergency contacts." Plus, users can use the fun photo app Instagram to share photos, using the tag #SMBC.
The trash can wraps were a donation from global advertising firm DDB LA, whose creative team worked with the donated talents and time of Axis Graphics and local illustrator Keith Scharwath to create the final design.
Ideally, the trash cans will take a day at the beach to the next level, and build community through technology.