Help Old Town Lansing Create Scrap Metal Trash Cans

The Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) is raising funds to commission new public trash cans made from recycled scrap metal to help keep Old Town Lansing clean, functional, and artistically vibrant as foot traffic continues to grow with new spaces like Fishladder Music Park and frequent community events.

Many of the current trash cans are aging and rusting, and while OTCA already funds weekly trash pickup and maintains more than two dozen public cans, the demand has outpaced the existing infrastructure. With support from the community, OTCA plans to add five new artist-designed trash cans created through ScrapFest artists using scrap metal generously donated by Friedland Industries, turning something purely functional into public art that reflects Old Town’s creative identity while also improving cleanliness and walkability.

This project will not only expand trash collection capacity and reduce overflow during busy weekends but also support local artists, recycle materials in a meaningful way, and continue building a district that feels both welcoming and well cared for. If funding goals are exceeded, OTCA can install even more cans throughout the district, and if the campaign attracts the highest number of individual donors, contributions may be matched up to $5,000, doubling community impact. Every donation helps bring this vision to life and directly supports a cleaner, more beautiful Old Town.