Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.Natalia BorisenkoPhotographer/ ArtistEdmund S. Muskie Internship Program 2016

A majority of art institutions use disposable cups / plates / flatwarefor their events (gallery openings, parties, auctions, meetings, etc.)

Many individuals and organizations claim to be “green” and care about pollution, global warming, the Ocean, and the Planet…

… And yet the amount of trash (recyclable or not) that a human being produces per day is difficult to imagine!

When it comes to the institutional level, the situation is even worse

If each out of 200-300 party guests has at least one drink in a disposable plastic cup (and nobody usually stops at just one drink), it all accumulates…

…And we are quickly left with something we can’t properly handle anymore

Some of the artists/institutions are already concerned with this problem and are offering ways to solve it: by selling reusable cups at the gallery front desk ($2-5), implementing BYOC (Bring Your Own Cup) policies, or even completely eliminating dishes

But for the most part, the situation is very sad…

Some art institutions do not feel it is important enough to start taking actions

Some art institutions are too busy, underfunded, and do not have enough time or resources to look for solution(s)

In the meantime, the problem remains, but the regular public enjoys art and does not have a clue of what is going on behind-the-scenes, when the party is over

What can be done? – this is a reasonable question!

First of all, start with yourself: • Say NO to plastic or

paper cups and plates at art events! Or at least use only one cup during the evening. Besides, there usually is no need for plates, since food at art events is mostly finger food

• Bring your own cup! Collapsible reusable cups come in a variety of sizes and shapes (as well as materials – plastic, metal, etc.), starting at prices as low as $2! You can keep it in your everyday bag or pocket, just don’t forget to wash it

• Stay thirsty (kidding!)

What can art institutions do on their side of things?

Some of the obvious choices are:• Say NO to disposable

cups and plates, and encourage guests to bring their own cups. This can be done by acknowledging individuals who care about the environment, giving them personal discounts for artworks, having giveaways, etc…

• Use biodegradable plastic cups and plates, if there is no way to avoid using disposable dishes (a pack of fifty 16oz. cups starts at $10)

• Reduce the amount of trash by pouring drinks in the same cup

• Find a company that will provide reusable dishes for the event (and take them away afterwards, of course, to wash and lend to another party)

• Ask volunteers in the local community who would be willing to help with washing the reusable cups

• Sort and recycle garbage that is left after events• Promote and share experiences and ways to reduce pollution

with colleagues and partners

I am sure these are not the only possible solutions to the problem – feel free to add your own!

It’s up to us – how we want to see our future

We can ignore the problem and make it look like this...

Or we can start solving it now

Keep New York City clean

All photographs Copyright © 2016 Natalia Borisenko