One man’s trash…

Justin Gignac is 27 years old. He is a college graduate, former MTV production assistant and has had a brief but successful stint as an advertising executive.

But this afternoon, Justin could be found wondering SoHo with a black trash bag in his gloved hand, picking up litter from the crowded streets. It’s become a familiar routine for the Connecticut native.

The common misconception is that he is simply a good Samaritan, helping to clean up the notoriously littered streets of the Big Apple. But his t-shirt, which reads “Thank you for littering,” gives him away.

The truth is that this is how Justin now makes his living: collecting little pieces of New York life, which he then seals in clear plastic boxes labeled “Garbage, New York City” and sells for $50 to $100 each. (Available on his website, www.nycgarbage.com)

Last week, Justin sold his thousandth box.

“I guess if no one littered, I’d be out of a job,” Justin said as he bent to pick up a copy of today’s Village Voice crumpled on the Bleeker Street sidewalk. “But I don’t think there’s any danger of that.”

Intrigued? Follow this link to see my video on Mr. Gignac.

And so it begins

For the next three months, I will be immersing myself in the trashier side of journalism. No, not celebrity gossip or fashion or even politics, but ACTUAL TRASH as I explore the issue of littering in New York City.

Should littering be a crime, or an individual choice? Is it ruining the city, or is it part of the landscape? Should we give a hoot and never pollute, or just throw our lunch remains at the environmentalist whiners?

There will be editorials and feature stories, photos and podcasts. You’ll meet embarrassed litterers, frustrated store owners and a man who makes his living with garbage art.

Check back soon…