Citizen activist uses paint to tackle rubbish problem in Zugdidi

An enthusiastic activist in a north-western Georgian city is using his creativity to transform the town’s streets into a work of art and promoting best environmental practices at the same time.

Zugdidi citizen Rostom Zarandia was the creator of a one-person local campaign to paint grey, steel public rubbish bins as cartoon characters or natural creatures.

In recent days Zarandia has ventured around Zugdidi, the capital of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, and added his creative touch on the unsightly bins.

He reached for a brush and colourful paint after becoming frustrated in his earlier efforts to promote Zugdidi residents to use the rubbish bins instead of dropping their rubbish near the bins or in other public spaces.

These bins were a novelty for the locals when they first appeared – it gradually became apparent that most people never used them … First I put stickers on the bins to raise awareness of their [purpose] but it had no effect,” Zarandia told local news outlet www.livepress.ge.

 Painted rubbish bins in Zugdidi. Photos by Facebook user George Khukhia.

The activist then decided to take a new approach; by using paint and his imagination to make the bins more attractive and a more noticeable part of the Zugdidi streets.

Locals started to appreciate the colourful change and Zarandia found people were more inclined to use the rubbish bins once they were painted. As a result, he believed the littering issue had reduced in Zugdidi.

His paintings on the bins included cartoon characters Sponge Bob Square Pants and Minion from the film Despicable Me. Another of his creations was an illustration of a ladybird bug.

This rubbish bin painted like a ladybird is sure to make locals smile. Photo/Rostom Zarandia.

Zarandia purchased the paint with his own money however after seeing his work some of the locals – including strangers – offered to donate money to help cover the cost of the paint.

The artist said he planned to continue changing the face of the city’s streets by painting the rubbish bins.

When I see passengers give a thumbs up from their cars, pedestrians smile and take photos with the Zugdidi Sponge Bob, and children playing around what used to be ugly bins, why should I stop? It was exactly my aim to make the negative surroundings look colourful and fun.”

Zarandia did not limit his activism to environmental issues. Over the years he has campaigned and sent written requests to municipal authorities to improve street lighting and road conditions in affected areas of Zugdidi.

His continuous efforts with the city management resulted in improved conditions in previously neglected areas including the city’s Tolstoy Street.

For his awareness about the standards of citizenship – and his inspiration to work to make change – Zarandia credited the 4^thCentury BC Greek philosopher Aristotle.

It’s my citizen message [to the public] to take care of the environment we live in,” Zarandia said.