Burlington Review

Burlington County is seeking to expand the family of Big Rusty, a massive troll created by artist Thomas Dambo from recycled materials. In an effort to celebrate recycling, sustainability, and imagination, the County is launching the Burlington County Troll Trek initiative.

County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We love the statue so much that we decided to ask some artists to create some more trolls so Big Rusty isn’t alone. It’s a great initiative that celebrates art, recycling, and community.”

The initiative, funded by the New Jersey Arts Council and supported by various municipalities and organizations, aims to commission artists to design and build trolls from natural or recycled materials for display in public locations across Burlington County. Selected artists will receive a stipend of $500 to cover expenses.

"We hope these new trolls help amplify that message and encourage more people to think about recycling and how to reuse items before tossing them out as trash," said Commissioner Allison Eckel, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and environmental protection.

Submissions for troll designs are being accepted until June 1, with the County planning to unveil the finished trolls by late September. The project not only promotes art and creativity but also aims to inspire residents to consider recycling and sustainability in their daily lives.