“Garbage Warrior” is a new film about controversial architect Michael Reynolds, who has been building radically sustainable architecture and off-the-grid energy communities for 35 years. Our trash is his muse — everything from old tires to plastic bottles to beer cans — all transformed into energy independent eco-homes he calls “earthships.”

The walls absorb heat from sunlight in the winter, and insulate against the heat of summer. Windows are strategically placed and adjustable modulate sunlight; solar panels and wind turbines generate electricity. Rainwater is captured; wastewater is filtered and reused. Greenhouse areas are used to grow food. The aim is to make the people who live in these houses self-sufficient.

The film is a tribute to Reynolds’ work, but also to the political and economic hurdles he faces in creating these communities.

People flocked to New Mexico to buy Reynolds’ earthships. But he was making it up as he went along, and the experiments sometimes had unhappy results–leaky roofs, too much heat. Once, an unhappy homeowner showed Reynolds his vintage typewriter. It had melted.

Reynolds must confront local officials and their “antiquated legislation” in order to continue to create his sustainable community test sites. After his architecture license is revoked, he begins an epic lobbying campaign to convince the state Legislature to allow him to continue creating his experimental housing projects.

The story is also one of climate change and global catastrophe. Shot over three years, and in four different countries, Reynold and his disciples have traveled the world using their pioneering building skills to create self-sustaining homes where natural disasters have struck.

The film premiers tonight in the US on the Sundance Channel’s “The Green” series, and is available for purchase on DVD this May. Don’t miss the trailer below, or this inspiring interview with Reynolds, courtesy of Earth Cinema Circle.

Feeling inspired?  and follow these three simple rules for slashing your own trash.