This week in trash news:
My friend Rob took these cheery photos on a recent trip to Brighton.
Around the world, trash news is focused on Naples this week. The crisis, which is nothing new, has taken an ugly, ugly turn.
Photos via the Telegraph Web site and credited to Getty/AFP.
The Times published an interesting lil’ diddy on consumption last week. Cartoon by Oliver Munday for the New York Times. Thanks for the tip, Joya!
Two friends in two days have sent me links to New York City green-minded events organized or endorsed by the Lower East Side Ecology Center. This Sunday, they’re collecting electronic waste in Union Square. They also have listings for amazing-sounding workshops on worms and composting. I can’t wait to check out a work workshop and report back!
Photo via the LESEC Web site.
The trash hiatus continues through December 15th. Until then, take a moment to appreciate your high speed Internet connection, a luxury not found here in Malawi. Even though the colleague office I’m working from this week has a dedicated cable line, power or service cut out every few minutes. I’m trying to remember how I sat still all day at my desk pre-Gchat. My temporary office in Zomba is located in a residential neighborhood where taking out the trash means lighting small fires. Lunch can be purchased for a few hundred kwacha from the woman cooking behind the house on the far right. I miss you all, please continue to send in your trashy tips. I shove off for Tanzania tomorrow and have high hopes for the Cyber Cafes in Dar!
Until then, please enjoy these vintage Malawian trash posts on elephant dung stationary and ruminations on zero waste.
I gotta tell you, since starting this blog I have noticed that a disproportionate percentage of the innovative trash solutions projects on this planet originate in Toronto. Ah, Canadians. Check out the Web site to this new documentary that chronicles one family who, instead of throwing their trash away, keep it in the garage and allow it to be filmed to show the world just how much waste one family produces.
I’m headed out of town again for a few weeks (warning, posts will be few and far between until mid-December), but when I return I plan to host a screening. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Check out the “Not Plastic, Fantastic” slide show of Brits NOT using plastic bags that follows the Guardian’s recent report on a rise in recycling in England.
I came across this review of a new documentary on Palestinian trash pickers today. Yet another example of how trash explains the world (in this case class, conflict and social status). I’m not sure if this is screening or airing anywhere soon, all I found was the purchase info (and limited info at that). Let me know if you hear anything!
This and other stunning shots of vehicle gaveyards can be found in this compilation post over at deputy dog.
Check out this post on “Zen and the Art of Dumpster Diving” from the nytimes.com blog, Dot Earth. Apparently dumpster diving is an honored tradition among monks in Michigan. Not surprising when one considers the age-old world of trash pickers and Buddhist disdain for waste.
Unflattering photo caught by Geoff Kroepel for the Environment Report, reposted here via Dot Earth. (Why that guy needs a back brace to scoop a parka from the trash is anyone’s guess. Perhaps it’s all part of the meditation and center-searching. I was kind of hoping for trash slings fashioned from saffron-colored robes.)
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