Mack Trucks announced today that the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and its non-profit partner, the Sanitation Foundation, have unveiled five new, fully hand-painted Mack® LR refuse vehicles to the public during New York City’s “Trucks of Art” program. The initiative seamlessly combines urban sanitation, environmental sustainability, and support for local visual arts.
The “Trucks of Art” Initiative and the Rigorous Selection Process
The “Trucks of Art” initiative presented a unique challenge to visual artists: to aesthetically transform DSNY refuse collection vehicles into rolling canvasses of public art. Utilizing the massive canvas of the trucks—each offering approximately 400 square feet of wrap-around surface area—the project aims to raise public awareness about the critical importance of cleanliness, recycling, and sustainability. Additionally, a central objective of the project was to honor the 10,000 men and women of the department who work tirelessly every day to keep New York City clean and safe.
The organizers’ call for submissions generated immense interest, drawing more than 400 applications from across the artistic community. From this extensive pool, a dedicated committee composed of sanitation officials and prominent celebrities selected just five winning artists. The judging panel included representatives from DSNY and the Sanitation Foundation, alongside special guest judge Nick Heller (widely known within the internet community as “NY Nico”) and Andy Cohen, the Emmy Award-winning host, producer, and author.
The winning designs focused on core themes of cleanliness, recycling, composting, and honoring the DSNY workforce. During the selection process, the committee evaluated the uniqueness of the artwork, the complexity of the concepts, and the flexibility of the color palettes, given that the exact shades of the salvaged paint could not be guaranteed in advance.
Zero-Waste Challenge and Execution Phase
The “Trucks of Art” project was not only an artistic milestone but also a strict zero-waste challenge. The chosen artists were required to exclusively use paints that had been discarded and donated by New York City residents. These leftover materials were collected and supplied by Materials for the Arts, with additional collection support provided by organizations such as Big Reuse and GreenSheen. GreenSheen operates as an official partner of PaintCare, a non-profit organization dedicated to the environmentally responsible management and recycling of architectural paint.
The five selected artists spent seven days painting the heavy-duty vehicles. The execution phase took place at the DSNY Central Repair Shop, located in the Maspeth neighborhood of Queens. Each of the winning artists received a financial stipend upon the successful completion of their work. The finished mobile art pieces were officially unveiled on May 19 at the North Plaza of Union Square. Immediately following the unveiling ceremony, the hand-painted trucks were dispatched to sanitation garages across all five New York City boroughs to begin their regular waste collection routes.
Official Statements and Emphasis on Shared Responsibility
Commenting on the program, Jonathan Randall, President of Mack Trucks North America, stated: “As part of New York’s Strongest, DSNY workers help keep New York City clean for residents, which is no small feat considering they collect 12,000 tons of trash daily.” He added that the company is incredibly proud to support this vital work with the Mack LR models and to sponsor the Trucks of Art program to celebrate local artists, sustainability, and the dedicated personnel who keep the city clean.
Gregory Anderson, Commissioner of the DSNY, emphasized the broader impact of the project: “The Department of Sanitation’s collection trucks perform a critical function, removing the 24 million pounds of material New Yorkers put out every single day. But they are also part of our streetscape, and by engaging local artists, DSNY and the Sanitation Foundation are lifting up neighborhoods, showcasing local talent, and reminding New Yorkers to do their part to keep our city clean.”
Caryl Englander, Chair of the Sanitation Foundation, highlighted the theme of civic responsibility: “At the Sanitation Foundation, we believe every New Yorker has a role to play in taking care of our city. Trucks of Art is a visible reminder of that shared responsibility, celebrating New York artists, local communities, and the DSNY workers who care for our city every day.”
Technical Specifications of the Mack LR Models
The vehicles featured in the program are Mack LR models, which are highly versatile, low-entry, Class 8 refuse trucks. Available in both traditional diesel and fully electric powertrain configurations, the Mack LR is engineered specifically for durability and driver comfort. The cab is highly customizable, offering dual steering controls, stand-up driving configurations, and six different door combinations to adapt to the specific requirements of urban collection routes. The chassis can accommodate both rear- and side-loader bodies, making it a flexible asset for municipal fleets.
Corporate Background: Mack Trucks and Volvo Group
For 125 years, Mack Trucks has provided purpose-built transportation solutions, committed to durability, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Today, Mack is one of North America’s largest manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks, with its vehicles sold and serviced through an extensive distribution network spanning more than 45 countries. All Mack trucks, diesel engines, and transmissions sold in North America are assembled in the United States.
The company’s manufacturing facilities are certified to internationally recognized standards, including ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety, and ISO 50001 for energy management. Furthermore, Mack is a proud sponsor of “Share the Road,” a public information campaign established by the American Trucking Associations to enhance safety across the nation’s highways.
Mack Trucks operates as a subsidiary of the Volvo Group. Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, the Volvo Group employs approximately 100,000 people and serves customers in nearly 180 markets worldwide. In 2025, the group reported net sales of approximately $49 billion.
References and Sources
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Original Source Article: Hand-Painted Mack LR Models Unveiled During Trucks of Art Program
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Official New York City Government Webpage: NYC Department of Sanitation – Trucks of Art
