For 34 years, New York Sanitation worker, Nelson Molina collected items in the trash on his route in East Harlem. Over 45,000 items, all catalogued and organized on the second floor of the M11 garage. Nelson retired from the job in 2015, but comes to the garage routinely to check in on his "museum."
The collection is not open to the public since it is in an active garage, but our hope is to get a proper space with the help of this film. Please visit sanitationfoundation.org/donate to donate!
"Treasures in the Trash"
A film by Nicolas Heller
Starring Nelson Molina
Directed by Nicolas Heller
Cinematography by Joe Bressler
Produced by Charlie Eisenbach
Edited by Lucas Lobe
Music Supervision by Falside
Sound Mix by Bobb Barito
Color by Joe Bressler
Titles by Greg Matesich
Illustrations by Cleofus
Special thanks to
Foundation for New York’s Strongest
DSNY Chief Mellis
Julie Raskin
Maggie Lee
Michael Marrero
Ricardo Dash
Anthony Winstead
Nelson Molina Jr.
Zorick Johnson
ONLY NY
& Cigarettes