The <a href="http://www.mta.info/">MTA</a> prints 170 million plastic MetroCards every year, most of which wind up littering our streets and subway system. New York artist <a href="http://thomasmckean.blogspot.com/">Thomas McKean</a> collects the discarded cards to create incredible miniature sculptures and intricate mosaics -- and clean up waste at the same time!

Despite the limited color palette and small size, McKean has found a wealth of inspiration in the 2x3 three pieces of plastic, transforming them into everything from bird nests to self portraits.

"Usually we swipe [MetroCards] in a hurry as we pass through the turnstile, hoping we haven’t missed the subway," says McKean.

"Or dip them as we enter a bus, hoping there’s still enough money on them to pay for the ride," he continues.

"But we barely notice them; they’re as omnipresent and invisible as pigeons."

"I stopped to look at them one day and haven’t looked back yet."

McKean says finding the cards is part of the experience of the artwork.

He has used thousands of MetroCards in his pieces.

He told Subway Art Blog, "Perhaps because I’m from New York, and this is my world, without setting out to, I’m creating a world from one of its iconic symbols.”

New Yorkers were outraged last year when the city raised bus and subway fares.

The hike included a $1 surcharge for each new MetroCard, hoping to encourage riders to refill their cards, thus reducing litter and cutting costs.

The MTA estimates that it spends $13 million annually to print MetroCards -- and that does not include the cost of cleaning up cards discarded in the system.

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To see his work in person, stop by the <a href="http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/80wse/">Washington Square East Galleries</a> where a few of his pieces will be displayed in the 32nd Annual Small Works Show, from January 31 to March 13.