Common Reading 2014-15: Garbology: Supplemental Reading

IEEE World Forum on Internet of Things (pp. 130-134). Seoul, Korea: IEEE.
Abstract from the authors: “Building on top of an experiment in tracking the movement of trash, we tested whether viewing this sensor data would change peoples’ sustainability attitudes and behaviors. We showed subjects real-time maps of trash tagged with networked GPS sensors, and surveyed them before and after seeing this information. Our results show that subjects did not significantly change their behavior in the long run, but they reported better understanding of where their trash went and how tracking technologies worked. Those who participated in deploying sensors reacted differently on some questions from those who had not volunteered. This study illustrates both limits and new opportunities for the Internet of Things to improve sustainability outreach and action at the grassroots level.”

Science, 337(6095), 668-672.
Preview from Science Magazine: “Myriad contentious issues surround how waste is collected, processed, and ultimately disposed of in developed nations. Experts have varying views, for instance, on the best way to economically sift recyclables out of the municipal solid waste stream, the pros and cons of burning trash to produce electricity, and how to account for the hidden costs to a society of managing waste. Meanwhile, the once-radical idea of generating zero waste has shifted from the streets to corporate boardrooms, sparking further debate over whether such approaches will actually reduce global demand for important raw materials. The good news: Such discussions are prompting a closer look at what we throw away—and where it ends up.” This article also contains flowcharts and other visuals of concepts discussed.

Partial abstract from the authors: “As waste removal chains grow increasingly complex, obtaining reliable information on the movement of trash becomes crucial but difficult. Lack of empirical knowledge about the spatial behavior of waste hampers design of effective recycling strategies. In particular, the movement and environmental impact of electronic and household hazardous waste are poorly understood. Our study investigates waste distances in an environmental, economic and geographic context, using novel methods to track municipal solid waste discarded in the city of Seattle….We show how existing models for waste emissions, such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waste Reduction Model, may underestimate the environmental impact of transportation by not accounting for very long trajectories that include multiple transport modalities.”

Partial abstract from the authors: “Waste and recycling systems are complex and far-reaching, but its mechanisms are poorly understood by the public, in some cases government organizations and even the waste management sector itself. The lack of empirical data makes it challenging to assess the environmental impact of trash collection, removal and disposal. This is especially the case for the global movement of electronic wastes. Senseable City Lab’s Trash Track project tackles this scarcity of data by following the trajectories of individual objects….In this paper, the authors focus on the analysis of traces acquired from 146 items of electronic waste, estimating evaluating the environmental impact, including the travel distances and end-of-life treatments for the products. Combining this information with impact evaluation from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA_ Waste Reduction Model (WARM) allows for the creation of environmental impact profiles for individual pieces of trash.”

Abstract from the authors: “Using active self-reporting tags we were able to follow the journey of 2,000 objects through the waste management system of Seattle. We used this data to define measures of efficiency for what could be called the ‘removal chain.’ We found that over 95% of the traces reached a compliant end destination. However, there were concerns with special categories of waste (cellphones, e-waste, and household hazardous waste) and specific geographic locations (trash from Bellevue and Redmond in particular did not follow the recommended best practices). We believe that similar studies may increase knowledge and systemic performance of waste management systems and, at a personal level, reduce the ‘out of sight out of mind’ attitude to trash.”

This book documents the twenty-year history of the art and education program at San Francisco’s garbage and recycling company. Art at the Dump presents profiles of the seventy-eight artists who have participated in the program since its founding, and provides reproductions of their artwork.

The New York Times: Archives
This overview of Rubbish! The Archaeology of Garbage describes the “garbage project” undertaken by authors William Rathje and Cullen Murphy. In addition, Rybczynski summarizes some of the “half-truths, misperceptions and incomplete knowledge” we hold about garbage.

BioCycle. 10/25/2013.
This book review of Garbology describes Edward Hume’s unbalanced coverage of “burn and bury” waste disposal and recycling facts by emphasizing the economic and social factors surrounding these two movements. Seldman concludes: “Because of Garbology’s uneven treatment of its subject, the book will likely remain a curiosity to veteran recyclers and solid waste planners. For those new to the fascinating world of garbage, many sections of the book are often simultaneously good, bad and naïve. For a balanced view of the garbage issue, novice readers will need to consult other works.”