Trolls, Trash & Transformation

Trolls, Trash & Transformation: Art as a Catalyst for Environmental Awareness

The Muddy River, part of Boston’s Emerald Necklace designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, is now one of the most polluted tributaries of the Charles River. Chronic littering, unattended vegetation and stormwater pollution have degraded its ecological and social value. While over 1,000 pounds of trash are removed annually, pollution persists, revealing a gap between people’s environmental values and everyday behavior.

This project examines how behavioral design can reduce littering and foster sustainable behavior change in the Muddy River while promoting inclusivity, safety, and resilience. Through field observations and interviews with local volunteers, nonprofit leaders and academics, this study identified key barriers including limited waste infrastructure, low visibility, and diffused responsibility. In response, the project proposes a community-centered design intervention combining green public art, storytelling, digital engagement and improved waste systems. The intervention prototype takes the shape of a troll sculpture named Muddi, designed to raise awareness about the river’s pollution.