“He likes it black.”
That’s how Mr. Trash Wheel takes his coffee, according to Allison Blood, Environmental Program Manager at the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore.
What’s his favorite brand? Zeke’s Coffee is the clear winner. In fact, the beloved local coffee roastery has even agreed to partner with Mr. Trash Wheel to honor the occasion of his 10th Anniversary with the release of a new coffee blend. If that’s not grounds for celebration, we’d press you to check your caffeine levels.
“As our loyal fans know, we are quite proud of our city. We have been operating in Northeast Baltimore for 19 years, and the connections we’ve made far surpass the difficulties of running a business,” said Brett Rhodes, manager of Zeke’s Coffee. “The support we have received from local communities is so rewarding, which is why we are happy to be collaborating with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore to beautify and improve the quality of our waterways, such a great cause that will benefit all of us. We look forward to making sure Mr. Trash Wheel is fueled by Zeke’s for years to come.”
Given that Mr. Trash Wheel and his family have removed over 2,300 tons of trash and debris from entering Baltimore’s waterways since 2014, it’s understandable that he’s a coffee dude. It’s a lot of work, after all. The trashy family collected a record-breaking more than 1 million pounds of litter and debris in 2023 alone.
Spongebob Squarepants has sponsored him, and Mr. Trash Wheel has made his literary debut gracing the front cover of “Green Machines and Other Amazing Eco-Inventions,” the latest installment in Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax” book series.
“We are so excited to celebrate Mr. Trash Wheel’s 10th anniversary with this special blend,” said Adam Lindquist, vice president of the Healthy Harbor Initiative and co-creator of Mr. Trash Wheel. “By enjoying a cup of the Mr. Trash Wheel Blend, customers not only savor a delightful blend of flavors but also contribute directly to the ongoing efforts to protect our waterways and marine life.”
If you expected a Mr. Trash Wheel coffee blend to have notes of cigarette butt, moldy mattress, with a hint of plastic bottle top, you’d be mistaken.
The Mr. Trash Wheel Coffee Blend is a “unique combination of dark roasted Mexican beans and lightly roasted Ugandan beans, resulting in a full-bodied cup with notes of almond, cocoa, nutmeg, and a pleasant sweetness,” according to the press release.
Blood tells Baltimore Fishbowl that not only does he prefer his coffee black, but he also likes pour-over coffee best. Bougie? Perhaps. But who will bedrudge him a fancy coffee ritual when he has spent his life consuming old footballs, discarded plastic bottles, one keg, and even a snake?
Caff or decaf for the gentleman?
“Oh, he’s caffeinated for sure,” Blood said. “Especially because he’s 10. We’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of Mr. Trash Wheel. He’s getting up there in trash wheel age. So, he needs a little boost in the morning like the rest of us.”
Mr. Trash Wheel has never been to Zeke’s, since, as Blood pointed out, he stays put, so things must come to him. Zeke’s will indeed come to him at the 10th Anniversary Celebration for Mr. Trash Wheel.
“Anyone who attends the 10th Birthday celebration will receive a Mr. Trash Wheel ‘Wheely Tired’ coffee mug. So, a limited-edition coffee mug and a sample of Mr. Trash Wheel blend from Zeke’s Coffee.”
When asked about other potential collaborations for the Trash Wheel family — Captain Trash Wheel and rum? Professor Trash Wheel with Beyoncé? Gwynnda the Good Wheel of the West with the Ravens? — Blood answered that they have had great collaborations in the past with Peabody Heights Brewery, Baltimore in the Box ice cream, and others.
“I certainly would say the sky’s the limit for collabs with the Trash Wheels, but we don’t have anything in the works quite yet,” Blood said. “But you’ve got my wheels turning about collaboration.”
The Mr. Trash Wheel coffee blend will be exclusively available at Zeke’s retail locations, farmers’ markets, and online at this link.
Mr. Trash Wheel’s “A Night at the Trashseum” 10th Anniversary celebration will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Public Works Experience. To purchase tickets and for more information on Mr. Trash Wheel’s 10th Anniversary, click this link.
