A review of the film, ''The Clean Bin Project,'' which will be shown at this year's Projecting Change festival on May 27, 2011.

Do you think it is possible to produce zero waste in an entire year? The filmmakers of The Clean Bin Project attempt to do just exactly that, and have made a friendly competition out of the task. Jen and Grant swear off consumerism in an effort to be waste free. Failing the zero waste target, they will at least drastically reduce their waste and compete with each other to produce the least amount of garbage in an entire year.

There is a section of the ocean in the Gulf of Mexico where the amount of plastic pieces of garbage out-numbers the local plant life by six to one. This floating island of garbage is twice the size of Texas.

While getting discouraged about how little one person can do to eliminate the waste that is seen all around us, Jen and Grant discover that it is possible to make a change. The key is to just begin. As they say, do one thing, then do another thing. And don't stop. The filmmakers make the analogy of waste is like smoking inside. In most North American cities today it is very rare to see someone smoking inside. It is hoped that this change in people's attitudes will be applicable to waste, and in so doing littering and excess garbage will become a thing of the past.

The Clean Bin Project shines a light on the dirty under belly of garbage. How to reduce our production of this all consuming waste will become one of the critical questions of our age. This film presents the topic with a sense of optimism, humor and hopefully inspiration that individuals can effect change in our society.

Details of the film on the Project Change site.