LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The largest source of aluminum in municipal solid waste are aluminum cans and other packaging according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

But one man’s trash is Herb Bradshaw’s treasure. 

“I use recycled cans. I use recycled frames from the thrift store. Everything I use is recyclable,” Bradshaw said.

Bradshaw’s primary medium is beverage cans. He has cut and repurposed more than a few over the past decade. 

“I would at least say 1000 or more,” says Bradshaw. 

His process includes embossing, distressing, and arranging can scraps to create colorful pieces. 

The self-taught artist says he stumbled upon this craft. 

“I was on a family reunion cleanup committee and I had all these cans had about 4 or 5 bags of soda cans. I said, what am I going to do with all these beverage cans that I have?” Bradshaw recalled. 

He was cutting paper dolls with his granddaughter when the metaphorical light bulb lit up. 

I laid the doll down and I went to pick up the paper to put the dress on and I went, “That’s the answer. The cans.”

Bradshaw has created over 400 one of a kind pieces since then. 

“It’s relaxing to me. I worked on computers for almost 35 years, worked for IBM and it was a break fix thing and if it’s broke, fix it. Here, I’m just creating,” says Bradshaw. 

He’s making an art and impact. 

“One of my ongoing mission is to create a greener environment, so I figure taking these cans off the street, off the market to be in trash and the roads and it makes a greener society. It means so much because I guess I’m doing 2 things, really 3 things. You’re creating art. You’re helping the environment at the same time. You’re giving a person something they’d be proud to have,” says Bradshaw. 

Made out of something they throw away each day. 

For a link to view more of Bradshaw’s can creations, click here.