Found this WSJ article via Newser. Evidently a team at International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. is working on recreating the stench of garbage, cigarette butts and sweat so as to better understand and ultimately mask them.
Deconstructing stink
Tuesday, September 9, 2008Not so marine life
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Click the photo for a closer view of this clever poster by artist Klas Ernflo who points out that shark bites should be the least of our concerns when it comes to underwater mayhem. I like the condom fish and paper bag squid.
Zero Waste Sex
Saturday, September 6, 2008
E magazine has an intriguing article this month entitled, “Make Love, Not Waste” about greening your sex life. At a cursory glance, I got a little nervous reading about the fact that latex condoms aren’t biodegradable and that hormonal methods may have a negative impact on the environment. The fact is, the condom and the pill are two of the most effective methods out there, helping women prevent tons of unintended pregnancies. And even without getting into the population control argument (more babies make more trash), the simple fact is that avoiding unintended pregnancies in the first place conserves a whole lot of energy. And that, I think we can all agree, is better for the environment. I agree it would be nice if there were ways to have safe sex that didn’t contribute to landfill waste. But until microbicide research moves along, don’t knock the condom! It can’t be beat for convienance at staving off pregnancy AND disease. Luckily, the article came around to similar conclusions. So, check out E magazine. It’s neat. Oh, the article also addresses another important issue, the need for greener sex toys.
Weekly Compactor
Friday, September 5, 2008
It’s been far too long to call this feature “weekly”. But I know you’re a forgiving readership. This week in trash news:
- The Trash King of New Orleans makes millions off of hurricaine clean-up;
- Oregon composts roadkill;
- A dentist in Pennsylvania is caught illegally dumping syringes and other nasty supplies;
- A stinky trash plant leads to popular protests and then a government apology in China;
- Canadian half-marathoners will be forced to carry home their own trash; and
- GM makes big promises to recycle.
Photo of squished porcupine by Sarah Britain via the East Oregonian
Stop Trashing the Climate
Friday, September 5, 2008
A new report published by the Institute for Local Self Reliance lays out the links between climate change and the amount of trash we produce. The central argument made is that a “zero waste approach” or heavy promotion of reuse, recycling and composting, is the most practical way to cut back on the amount of waste we generate that is inturn sent to incinerators and landfills which, as we know, are yucky.
If you’re into scary statistics, here’s one for you: “If we continue on the same wasting path with rising per capita waste generation rates and stagnating recycling and composting rates, by the year 2030, Americans could generate 301 million tons per year of municipal solid waste, up from 251 million tons in 2006.”
Fear not. If policymakers and citizens would just head the recomendations made in this document, the amount of solid waste produced could drop 90% over the same time period, which would reduce the amount of greenhouse gases created by 406 megatons CO2 eq per year. I’m not sure what the unit megaton CO2 eq. refers to, but it sounds significant, doesn’t it? According to the report, it would be the clean air equivalent of shutting down over 80 smoke stackin’ coal burning plants.
I’m interested in your thoughts on the 12-step plan laid out by these good people. Reports full of numbers like this one make fantastic meat, but we have a lot of burgers to sling policy-wise to get this shit into law and daily practice. Here’s a link to the press release.
Note to NYers: the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education is great for practical facts on what the city recycles, hosts random recycling-themed events and is a lifeline to wonky reports such as the one covered in this post. Yay listserves!
Photo of children ripped from the OROE site.
Last Night’s Garbage
Thursday, September 4, 2008I posted on this once before, when I first discovered this site, but let me say again that Last Night’s Garbage is a truly lovely garblog.
Posts usually consist of an ephemeral photo of New York City trash paired with a deadpan citation from a related reference source. A photo of paper plates and clam shells spilling out of Coney Island trash bin, for example, will be accompanied by an excerpt on the history of quahogs on Long Island. I adore specific projects and Last Night’s Garbage is a blog that does a lot without straying from its mandate. Also, the photography is kick ass. Case in point, this ripped image of a woman sleeping in the East Village.
Bag-making tips from a (fashionable) pro
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
In preparation for my bag-making party, I asked my friend Rachel of Lady Jane Designs for some advice on the dos and don’ts of DIY totes. Those of you not into sewing (or just looking for hot accessories) can find and purchase beautiful bags from Lady Jane Designs on Etsy. Anything but frumpy!
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everydaytrash: How did you get into bagmaking and when do you find the time?
Lady Jane Designs: I got into bagmaking because I had a lot of scraps of fabric left over from other projects, and wanted to find something to make with them (up to that point, I had mostly made dresses). I also liked having a sewing project that I could start and finish within a few hours, and they made great gifts for my friends when I didn’t have the time to devote to making them a whole garment. Finding the time to sew can be difficult working full time but I manage to squeeze it into the evenings and weekends. The most time consuming part is generally cutting the pattern (though much less time consuming than a garment) and ironing/sewing in the interfacing, which you generally want to do all in one go. The sewing part you can do in bits whenever you have time. In fact I am taking a break from sewing right now to write this.
everydaytrash: What kind of materials make the best tote bags, practically and fashionably speaking? What materials should one avoid?
Lady Jane Designs: In terms of recycled materials, you want to look for heavier weight, woven materials. Materials such as denim or upholstrey weight fabric will make the best bags. Avoid materials that are knit, such as old t-shirts…knits make great apparel, but as a bag they’ll stretch out once you weigh them down with stuff. Also try to avoid any materials that are loosely woven, they can tend to get snagged on things and aren’t as durable. In terms of newer fabrics, I love all the awesome fabrics coming out of Japan, you can find some great stuff on sites like superbuzzy.com, reprodepot.com, or various sellers on etsy.com. For the exterior of the bag, try to search for terms like “canvas” or “upholstrey weight.”
everydaytrash: Any other tips, common novice mistakes to avoid?
Lady Jane Designs: Generally you’ll want to interface your bag, which will maintain its shape but also increase its durability. It adds another step to the process but you’ll thank yourself in the end. You will also want to get some good thread (not the cheap dollar store variety!) and some thick needles. You’ll also want to invest in a good iron that gets really hot. Thick materials can be stubborn so you’ll really want to iron the hell out of them to open your seams.
everydaytrash: Trashtastic tips, thanks!
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Note to New Yorkers: Rachel will be selling her stuff this Sunday at the Artists and Fleas market in Williamsburg, sharing the table with another fabulous accessories designer, Tiny Hearts.
Photos ripped from Lady Jane Designs.
Bag Party!
Monday, September 1, 2008
I’ve been very good lately about carrying reusable bags around with me to avoid taking plastic ones. It’s a nice feeling. And I’d like to share it. Thankfully, a recent post on the 365 Days of Trash garblog linked to morsbags, a do-it-yourself bag making site (with downloadble instructions). This got me thinking. I should have a bag-making party!
The first couple friends I leaked this idea to pointed out that as nonprofiteers we have enormous tote bag collections from conferences. Both offered to bring their own bags to the party to decorate them. Fair enough. But the morsebags model also encourages us to distribute reusable bags. The party, therefore, will have three elements: 1) collecing frumpy old conference totes we no longer want to lug around, 2) decorating old totes in need of a spruce up and 3) creating new reusable bags out of recycled materials for our own shopping, to give as gifts and distribute at local supermarkets and co-ops.
Stay tuned for more planning details including a Q&A on best practices in bag making with a very stylish professional. Tote photo ripped from Lady Jane Designs on Etsy.
Trash love, a two way street
Monday, September 1, 2008
The incomparable Little Shiva over at The Visible Trash Society made my day with a digital collage and glowing post dedicated to….everydaytrash.com! What an honor, especially coming from a respected colleague. Little Shiva is an artist, trashie and graphic designer who lives in Belgium but has her virtual finger on the pulse on the broader art and garbage world. It’s via Visible Trash that I’ve discovered things like the Santa Cruz Trash Orchestra, Joshual Allen’s air bear (of which, you may have noticed, I became a huge fan) and the fantasticly eccentric Friesno Boning (who I then hit up for Trashtastic Tuesday Q & A). But my favorite aspect of The Visible Trash Society is that Little Shiva practices what she preaches and makes stuff out of trash. Go puruse!
Sorting through political waste
Friday, August 29, 2008Hundreds of college students are voluntarily sorting trash at the DNC. Very cool.
[This post will remain photoless as a protest to the handful of lame how-green-are-the-Dems-really? articles fluttering about the Internet, all with snoozy images. I mean, Plenty seem to be the only ones trying and their clip art has nothing to do with the environment.]
Trashfinder’s Ball, the movie
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Ever heard of the Trashfinder’s Ball? Me neither. From what I can tell from this very local online article, it’s a party in Beverly, Mass., where people come in and present treasures found in the garbage to a panel of judges who then pick a winner and hand out prizes, all in the name of raising funds for the local bookmobile. Sounds amazing so far. From the looks of the photos on flikr, the fundraising part happens, at least in part, in the form of a raffle (which is great, beacause I have a knack for winning raffles. It’s a special talent I share with my sister). Also, some fashion-forward guests wear their trash (hello! Finally, a chance to contact the trashionistas and ask for help putting together a look the way an Oscar hopeful might call a couture designer).
Last year’s ball was such a hit the organizers are planning a second annual shindig and this time a local filmmaker will shoot it to complete a documentary already in the works. The movie will include interviews with prominent trashies as well as, presumably, local peeps talking about their dumpster diving finds, all pegged to the dramatic core of the ball itself. Let me know if you come accross any more info on this event. My new goal in life is to score an invite. You only think I’m kidding.
Photo of the judges found on flikr
Trashtastic Tuesday with Bryant Holsenbeck
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
My friend Lydia recently tipped me off to the work of artist Bryant Holsenbeck and was kind enough to put me in touch with the creative environmentalist for a little Q and A on the motivations behind her whimsical works creating bright and lively installations out of trash.
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everydaytrash: Do you see your work as political?
Holsenbeck: Yes–I see my work as from the gut, personal, political. People do not want to see their trash. The quantity component of my work is very important. We just have so much (use it once or 20 times for that matter) stuff. Use it and then trow it “Away” Where is Away? In the US, most people are not concerned with this.
everydaytrash: I love the idea of wildlife made from trash, what brought about your Wildlife installation and what other birds and beasts have you created from discarded materials since?
Holsenbeck: Wild life–because we are taking up the space for wild animals. We like to see deer, but not in our gardens. What animals will be able to survive as we take over all of the wild and natural habitats. I feel very fortunate when I see birds soaring in the sky. Wild. Where do they live? As developers bulldoze and we stamp on all insects because they are “in our way” We are ruining our habitat as well. I am lucky to live in a neighbor hood where I see rabbits and chipmunks–and yesterday close to town–I saw a fawn running for the woods–white tail up. Our worlds are getting closer and closer–I hope we can live with wild animals–They do not have a voice. “WILD” is about watching for wild animals–being glad when I see them. Keeping my eyes open for what is there.
everydaytrash: Your bottlecap pieces are so intricate: how long do they take to create and what’s your process for collecting materials?
Holsenbeck: I have collected bottle caps for about 10 years. I have reached current maximum storage capacity of about 100,000 caps. The collection was mostly easy–It was continual. Certain friends family and neighbors designated themselves as collectors. For some people, it just became part of their recycling process. I am used to arriving home to a bag of “stuff” on my front porch. I am grateful to all of these people for collecting. Each cap is a record of something consumed–and we are doing this all of the time. The hard part for me has been keeping the caps sorted by color and making sure they are clean.
Here is what is important–not that many families collected for me–but over time, it mounts up. How many jars of apple sauce did you and your family eat last year–then multiply times 10–any product over time–we eat to survive and the caps are the non-biodegradable record
Photos ripped from the artist’s site.
DIY end table
Sunday, August 24, 2008
I came to this little how-to post from Apartment Therapy via a Lifehacker link and thought it was pretty slick. I may just try it out. After inheriting a bunch of stuff from our grandmother, my sister and my apartment is looking put together but a little stuffy. Or, as the last boy I brought home put it, more like the home of a yuppy family or solitary old lady than of two twenty-somethings. I feel a few upcycled acccent pieces could mitigate that effect.
Photo via Apartment Therapy
Scando trash video
Wednesday, August 20, 2008Senior tipster Dumster Taoist sent me this amazing video in five parts today. It’s a TV documentary on Manila’s City of Garbage. Reserving commentary until I’ve had a chance to watch it in full.
Baaaahd ass trash art
Monday, August 18, 2008
[Forgive the post title. It was created late at night during a tedious search for trash news.] Keith R. over at The Temas Blog turned me on to these amazing telephone sheep. I guess I missed it when TreeHugger and others posted on these in June. Better late than never. These funky and adorable hunks of trash art are part of a Jean Luc Cornec installation at the Frankfurt Museum of Communications in Germany. These things are just plain amazing. For a more intellectualized analysis, check out this GreenUpgrader post.
Photo ripped from Flikr
everydaytrash 