Inside Jason Mecier's vintage, trashy, fantastic art studio in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO -- According to the EPA, the U.S. generated 292.4 million tons of trash in 2018...that equates to about 5 pounds per person per day.

For Jason Mecier, one person's trash is his treasure. The San Francisco-based artist gives garbage brand new meaning through pop art portraits made entirely of trash. His specialty: celebrity likenesses made entirely of miscellaneous items.

Mecier has been collecting trash for his portraits since 2000. His studio has about 50 bins, 50 boxes, and roughly 20 hefty bags full of junk that he uses as art supplies.

Plus, every single item in Mecier's house is up for grabs if it fits the portrait.

"I was making Thanksgiving dinner, and I needed a turkey baster, where's the turkey baster?" explained Adam Ansell, Mecier's partner. "He's like, 'Oh, I glued it on Joan Collins.'"

Joan Collins, Missy Elliot, Marilyn Monroe, George Lopez - the list of celebrities whom Jason has fashioned out of trash is endless.

"I used to have to trash pick more, now I just have my own trash studio," explained Mecier.

His items range from vintage food containers and collectibles to everyday household materials that would normally go into the waste/recycling bin. Think: broken hangers, empty skincare bottles, etc.

The upcycled portraits are trash mosaics that can take up to 50 hours to complete. Each piece consists of objects that Jason thinks best represent the celebrity featured.

"I usually start with a subject that I'm inspired by, and then I have to say what's the image, and then you have to say what's the color scheme, and what's it made out of."

Sometimes celebrities send Jason their personal trash for their portrait.

"I started with Phyllis Diller, I asked her if she would send me stuff, and she just mailed me a box," said Mecier.

About model/actress Barbi Benton he added, "I've done about 7 portraits of her. She sent me a whole U-Haul, all her real things."

In addition, Jason creates celebrity portraits made of various food items, as well as makes printed pillows.

You can find Jason's art throughout San Francisco at many popular locations, including Z. Cioccolato, Oasis Nightclub, Spunk Salon, Fabulosa Books, and Bona Vada Barbershop.

Jason hopes his trash art will inspire others to find new and creative uses for their junk.

"I really do think it's great that it's contributing to recycling (and) the environment," said Mecier.

Ansell added, "The recycling element, it's amazing, it's like he can make anything out of anything."

For more information, visit here and follow @jasonmecier on Instagram.