BACKGROUND:
Thus far, this class has been great as far as further bolstering my knowledge in a topic I’ve always been interested in: waste and waste management. There are a few ideas that I came across this semester that really stuck with me. The first was from the Calvino piece we read at the beginning of the semester, I’ll paraphrase it but basically it was that what we throw away is what we’ve decided is no longer a part of us, while what we keep we choose to define us. I’ve always been fascinated by disposability and how it’s led to an explosion in the volume of waste we produce. That’s why I was astounded by Rathje’s exposure of the myth of biodegration. We’ve discussed in class how when we throw something “away” we feel it disappears. But if what we throw away is actually fossilizing in some landfill as Rathje says, that means that the jewelry box I had as a girl that I loved until it broke, might still out there somewhere. Same goes for the bright orange Bigwheel that I used to tool around on as a toddler. It may seem like a small thing, but this really blew my mind. It’s something I’ve been giving a lot of thought to since our class began. And while I’ve always been a die-hard recycler, many of you have probably already guessed how that parade been rained on for yours true, as we’ve learned the hard facts about what really happens: if that circle isn’t closed it’s little more than psychological comfort for those of us who take the time to separate our garbage. In any case, I still think recycling is very important, but I’ve since realized that the only way to truly reduce the amount of waste people produce is by the actual reusing of goods. As this is something that’s dramatically decreased in the last 50 or so years, I’ve become curious as to how many people actually purchase or are willing to acquire used goods in their day-to-day lives. And what do people do with quality items that they have no need for anymore?
I’ve observed that people in the East Village where I live are accomplished garbage pickers. Although I’ve picked up an item or two on the street, I’ve made my major used-goods purchases at the weekend flea-market on Avenue A (that was tragically discontinued as of this summer; I still have not found out why.). In my building, residents have set up an informal goods exchange where residents pile used clothes and books (much to the building super’s dismay) on the ground floor. I’ve gotten a number of great books and magazines in this way, as well as martini glasses, brand-new ice trays, curtains and also framed prints (more than one!). When friends or family come to visit, the pile downstairs is often the first thing they bring up when visiting for the first time. I have been interested to observe that the pile has elicited a variety of responses from my friends and family- from envy that I have access to free stuff, to disgust that I would pick through people’s used things. I began to realize that while some people are fine with second-hand goods, many people are offended and put-off by used items. (This was brought home to me in Ben Miller’s book when he reveals that the origin of the word “shoddy,” which most people understand to mean “of poor quality,” actually used to mean wool made of used wool clothing.)
I began to realize that while I’d given a bit of thought to people’s attitudes towards recycling, I hadn’t really thought much about attitudes towards used goods. It wasn’t even something I’d given much thought to with regards to myself let alone my close friends and family. I decided that this was definitely something that was I wanted to explore for this “observation” project. At first I thought I’d interview random people on the street but then the issue of consent came up and I figured that to keep it simple I’d be better off interviewing friends and acquaintances that I knew would be comfortable providing this information and a photograph for this project. I structured my questions to be based on recycling and consumption of used goods, essentially exploring what people do to reduce the amount of waste that they generate. The following are the results of my interviews.
NICOLA
Occupation: Event Planner
Residence, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
1. OK, be honest, do you recycle? What percentage of recyclable waste would you say you actually recycle? How important do you think it is to recycle?
I try to. I think I am recycling at least 75-80%, but am afraid I might not know enough about recycling and could be doing more. I think it is very important.
2. What kind of a system is available for recycling where you live? Is it easy to figure out? Who is responsible for it (i.e. building super, landlord, etc.)?
I actually just moved and garbage disposal/recycling in my new building has not been explained to me. I leave recycling outside my building with the garbage, but in a separate bag. I am pretty sure my super is responsible for it. I often see him outside sorting through the trash.
3. What items are you willing to purchase used? Do you purchase any used items regularly?
I buy used shoes and clothes all the time. I have also bought used CD's. I try to buy used books all the time. I am willing to buy used electronics and I buy used furniture.
4. Do you donate or sell any of your used items? Where? If not, do you throw them away in the regular trash?
Sometimes I sell my used clothes to Buffalo Exchange, but for the most part I donate my used clothes to NYU's ClothingLine organization. For large items like furniture I have left things in my building basement...I don't know what happens to it.
5. Have you ever picked up an item off the street that someone had thrown away? What's the best thing you've ever found on the street? Has anyone you know found anything especially good? If you would never pick up items off the street, please explain why.
Surprisingly I've never done it in NYC, solely because every time I see something I love I am on my way somewhere and carrying it is not feasible. One of my best friends got this really awesome retro mirrored swivel table.
WILL
Occupation: Accountant
Residence: Washington Heights, Manhattan
1. OK, be honest, do you recycle? What percentage of recyclable waste would you say you actually recycle? How important do you think it is to recycle?
I recycle paper at work. Not at all at home but I think recycling is very important.
2. What kind of a system is available for recycling where you live? Is it easy to figure out? Who is responsible for it (i.e. building super, landlord, etc.)?
None. It doesn’t seem to be a priority in my neighborhood and recycling laws don’t seem to be enforced.
3. What items are you willing to purchase used? Do you purchase any used items regularly?
No. I don’t like buying used goods.
4. Do you donate or sell any of your used items? Where? If not, do you throw them away in the regular trash?
I give clothes I don’t want to my mom and she gives them away or donates them to The Salvation Army. Furniture goes on the street.
5. Have you ever picked up an item off the street that someone had thrown away? What's the best thing you've ever found on the street? Has anyone you know found anything especially good? If you would never pick up items off the street, please explain why.
No. I hate having stuff just because it’s available.
SINDY
Occupation: Advertizing Account Supervisor
Residence: West Village
1. OK, be honest, do you recycle? What percentage of recyclable waste would you say you actually recycle? How important do you think it is to recycle?
Although I think recycling is very important I don’t do it as much because my apartment building does not make it turn-key. When I lived with my parents in a large high rise, recycling was very easy, so it forced you to recycle. My building now is a small building in the west village. The garbage is outside and tends to get very messy. They have three or four large blue bins but they get filled up and the remaining garage is all over the place. The truth is I put all my recyclables in a bag and leave it near the blue bins. I have no idea what happens after.
2. What kind of a system is available for recycling where you live? Is it easy to figure out? Who is responsible for it (i.e. building super, landlord, etc.)?
I believe the building super is responsible. Here are a couple of problems with the way it is set up:
• The blue bins get filled and over flow
• There is no designated area for bottles vs. paper. The three blue bins are in a section and people just tend to leave their recyclables there and garbage on the other side.
• It’s very messy!
• It’s outside. In the winter I don’t want to stand there and figure it all out.
3. What items are you willing to purchase used? Do you purchase any used items regularly?
I don’t really purchase any used items anymore.
4. Do you donate or sell any of your used items? Where? If not, do you throw them away in the regular trash?
I hate throwing stuff away. I always donate clothing, books, shoes, etc. In the past I have donated to Salvation Army, Dress for Success, and cousins in Trinidad. Just a couple of weeks ago my boyfriend threw away a ton of shirts and I got really mad. There are people out there that can use what we are considering to be “garbage.”
5. Have you ever picked up an item off the street that someone had thrown away? What's the best thing you've ever found on the street? Has anyone you know found anything especially good? If you would never pick up items off the street, please explain why.
OK, the truth is when I was younger I loved finding things on the street and at thrift stores. I would feel a sense of accomplishment by finding something at half the cost. Recently I have not bought things off the street. I think it’s because I buy less stuff, therefore the stuff I do buy I’m particular about. Not sure if that makes sense. My attitude though is that treasure can be found on the street, but you can’t plan on what you find.
DOMINICK
Occupation: Academic Advisor
Residence: Sunset Park, Brooklyn
1. OK, be honest, do you recycle? What percentage of recyclable waste
would you say you actually recycle? How important do you think it is to
recycle?
I do recycle, but I am not militant about it. I definitely make an effort to separate plastic/glass/metal, paper, and trash. However, I do not thoroughly clean out containers before I dump them. I think recycling is important, but it is not something I think about regularly.
2. What kind of a system is available for recycling where you live? Is it easy to figure out? Who is responsible for it (i.e. building super, landlord, etc.
My building has clearly separated trash cans for recyclable items and other trash. I simply dump things accordingly.
3. What items are you willing to purchase used? Do you purchase any used items regularly?
I am totally comfortable purchasing used items, and have at least once purchased the following used items:
-clothes and shoes
-utensils and kitchenware
-appliances
-music and movies
-books
-furniture
-bikes
4. Do you donate or sell any of your used items? Where? If not, do you throw them away in the regular trash?
I have donated and sold used items. I have donated used items to The Salvation Army, church groups, and friends. I have sold used items at stoop sales and to consignment shops.
5. Have you ever picked up an item off the street that someone had thrown away? What's the best thing you've ever found on the street? Has anyone you know found anything especially good? If you would never pick up items off the street, please explain why.
I have brought home items I found in the street. The best thing that I found was a coffee table. A friend of mine found a bike he has used for 5 years.
JAY
Occupation: Animator
Residence: East Village
1. OK, be honest, do you recycle? What percentage of recyclable waste would you say you actually recycle? How important do you think it is to recycle?
I recycle more than 80%, I think. I'm Korean and in Korea we recycle food too, we made animal feed, and compost by recycling food. People chop down many trees but we should know that trees are the lungs of the earth, the Amazon rainforest is disappearing. I hope we will recycle more paper, and also print more books with recycled paper, especially newspaper, since we throw it away after reading once.
2. What kind of a system is available for recycling where you live? Is it easy to figure out? Who is responsible for it (i.e. building super, landlord, etc.)?
It is easy to figure out. I think the building super is responsible, because my landlord lives somewhere else so he can't take care of the recycling bins.
3. What items are you willing to purchase used? Do you purchase any used items regularly?
Yes. I like to buy used clothes and books.
4. Do you donate or sell any of your used items? Where? If not, do you throw them away in the regular trash?
I have a couple of times to a donation shop in Korea which is called "Beautiful Shop," it is similar to The Salvation Army. I donated my shoes and clothes. Also in Korea, every apartment has a special tin box, so you can put in some of your used items there any time. You can put only shoes, clothes and blankets into the box.
5. Have you ever picked up an item off the street that someone had thrown away?
What's the best thing you've ever found on the street?
Has anyone you know found anything especially good?
If you would never pick up items off the street, please explain why.
Yes, I have. It was an old handmade toy. I like vintage stuff.
REFERENCES:
Calvino, Italo. 1993. The Road to San Giovanni. New York: Pantheon Books.
Miller, Benjamin. 2000. Fat of the Land: A History of Garbage in New York. New York: Four Walls Eight Windows.
Rathje, William and Cullen Murphy. 2001. Rubbish! The Archaeology of Garbage. Tempe, AZ: U of Arizona P.