In Norman, Oklahoma, they have been turned into a 20-foot-tall robot that reclines on a hillside, holding a wildflower in one hand. The City of Norman funded the multi-year project with just over $14,000 from leftover construction funds, and the sculpture was officially unveiled in January 2026. What happens when discarded dumpsters are given a second life? Called Hazmatt, the unusual public sculpture transforms retired waste containers and reclaimed materials into an artwork designed to encourage people to rethink their relationship with rubbish and the environment.
The sculpture’s message is therefore not limited to recycling alone.
The city describes Hazmatt as a “gentle giant”, with its relaxed and contemplative posture intended to encourage residents to consider their connection with the environment. Michele Loudenback, manager of the city’s Division of Environmental Resilience and Sustainability, said Hazmatt would act as a friendly ambassador for visitors to the facility. Its construction also demonstrates how discarded materials can be repurposed rather than sent directly for disposal. Roadside America, which documented the installation following its unveiling, identifies local artists Ken Hall Jr. and Derek Vosten in connection with the sculpture. The travel website describes Hazmatt as being assembled from dozens of old dumpsters. The city’s original announcement, however, names Hall Jr. as the sculpture’s creator. In the city’s announcement, she described the installation as an example of waste reduction and resourcefulness. Its design encourages people to think about how everyday decisions, including the disposal of potentially harmful products, affect the environment.