UW garbage researchers uncover a heap of surprises
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SEATTLE - Our trash says a lot about us.
So much so that researchers at the University of Washington are studying "Garbage 101" - and what they've uncovered is triggering change when it comes to dealing with waste.
For this group of garbage researchers, all the stuff we throw away is a gold mine of information. Rifling through garbage cans and recycling containers from around campus comes with plenty of surprises - and a few dangers.
Last week, for example, they came across a hypodermic needle in the trash. And on Thursday, it was a biohazard bag.
By targeting trashy habits, this group, part of The UW Garbology Project, says it can get a better handle on what's working with the UW cleanup and recycling programs, and what needs adjusting.
They've discovered that 80 percent of the things tossed into trash cans should have been recycled or composted.
That means a lot of garbage is going to landfills that shouldn't be.
The university pays $145 for each ton of trash that's hauled away - but recycling is free.
"Sorting through trash, it is the most educational experience ever," says Emily Newcomber, UW recycling program manager. "Even die-hard recyclers and composters learn something new when they go through their garbage or someone else's."
It's a messy job that others wouldn't think of touching.
"We want to teach people about waste issues, everyday waste issues, that are local and relevant to them, says UW garbage researcher Jack Johnson.
But doing the right thing these days can be confusing.
For example, the group finds that the item most often thrown in the garbage when it should not be is - the common coffee cup. Many don't realize it can be recycled or composted.
The cup is not alone.
"Honestly, plastics are the most confusing thing," says Johnson. "Plastics can be trash, they can be compostable, or they can be recyclable."
That's part of the research.
Telling people more clearly of what what's and where it should go that can allow for better decisions to be made about a never-ending waste stream.
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More information:
The UW Garbology Project
UW Office of Recycling
So much so that researchers at the University of Washington are studying "Garbage 101" - and what they've uncovered is triggering change when it comes to dealing with waste.
For this group of garbage researchers, all the stuff we throw away is a gold mine of information. Rifling through garbage cans and recycling containers from around campus comes with plenty of surprises - and a few dangers.
Last week, for example, they came across a hypodermic needle in the trash. And on Thursday, it was a biohazard bag.
By targeting trashy habits, this group, part of The UW Garbology Project, says it can get a better handle on what's working with the UW cleanup and recycling programs, and what needs adjusting.
They've discovered that 80 percent of the things tossed into trash cans should have been recycled or composted.
That means a lot of garbage is going to landfills that shouldn't be.
The university pays $145 for each ton of trash that's hauled away - but recycling is free.
"Sorting through trash, it is the most educational experience ever," says Emily Newcomber, UW recycling program manager. "Even die-hard recyclers and composters learn something new when they go through their garbage or someone else's."
It's a messy job that others wouldn't think of touching.
"We want to teach people about waste issues, everyday waste issues, that are local and relevant to them, says UW garbage researcher Jack Johnson.
But doing the right thing these days can be confusing.
For example, the group finds that the item most often thrown in the garbage when it should not be is - the common coffee cup. Many don't realize it can be recycled or composted.
The cup is not alone.
"Honestly, plastics are the most confusing thing," says Johnson. "Plastics can be trash, they can be compostable, or they can be recyclable."
That's part of the research.
Telling people more clearly of what what's and where it should go that can allow for better decisions to be made about a never-ending waste stream.
-----
More information:
The UW Garbology Project
UW Office of Recycling
I own an RV Park and continually go through the trash to filter out what we can recycle. It saves me dump fees and help the planet as well. It is strange that people in their RV's that come from area's that mandate recycling will act like the biggest wasters in the world. We have bins right next to the dumpster for plastic, newsprint, aluminum, and glass, yet they will just toss bags of cans in the dumpster. Go figure. People need to be more responsible to our planet and our way of life and try to reuse, recycle and save.
AT work we have 6 garbage cans and enough signage equal to a short novel trying to explain what goes in what can. AND IT"S STILL CONFUSING.
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 @Truth Percolates Momma told you that you should have stayed in school!!! What's so hard about putting the plastic in the bin marked plastic and so on?
One thing I wish could be addressed would be "green waste" for multi-family dwellings. I used to rent the bottom half of a single family home - we had yard waste & I composted everything possible, as well as sorting for recycling.  Now I live in an apartment building - we only have recycle & a dumpster. I feel guilty throwing out things that I know could be composted. I wish there was some way to address this so everyone could do everything they can to reduce~reuse~recycle.
I don't think UW trash is representative. The Garbology project should be extended into neighborhoods of different profiles.Â
At $145 per ton to haul away their garbage they should have some work study students sorting the trash into recycle bins.
I try and recycle as much as I can.
Planet is already trashed.Â
@SandyBeach nothing a mount Rainier eruption and a magnitude 10 quake can't fix
 @SandyBeach That must be your reason to not give a rats a**
functional drug users in collage? thanks to the parents that can and will provide, the government must know SOMETHING, is that why tuition is soooo daaamn HIGH? no pun intended. lol, i couldent resist.
 Probably a diabetic person, some use needles daily.
@therunner I would think a diabetic who used needles on a regular basis would learn to dispose of them properly. A drug addict, on the other hand, would be more likely to discard incorrectly. At least that is my theory.
Look at any median of a highway. You think people are going to care about sorting trash if they don't even care about tossing their junk on the side of the road? For the most part, the human population is a thoughtless self-caring, parasitic slug with no thought whatsoever about anything outside of arm's reach. This study proves that notion. And, yes, I am fun at parties.
 @jelisized I resemble that remark. :P
@jelisized - You and I would get along I'm fun too.
It's because people are just too lazy to actually put any effort into it. What is or is not truly trash can be found online folks. Almost everything can be recycled or turned into composite. A list of nots for your compost pile: Meat Fish Cooked food Coal & coke ash Cat litter Dog faeces Disposable nappies
 @alildifferent You're welcome to come over anytime and sort through my garbage, although it's probably harder in practice than to preach in the forums I doubt I'll even see you. This is an awesome news story.Â
@Blackwater LLC - Why would I go to your house to do a job you should care about? I have a beautiful garden right here in my neighborhood that 6 of us contribute to on my land but we all use it. Two of them are older folks who can no longer garden on their own which has become a way for them to be outside around others as well. It's not preaching, it's reality - check it out sometime.
Hypodermic needles in the trash? You don't say. I think any waste collector could have told these students that.
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They should probably also all be wearing protective eye wear.
Uh, doesn't this kind of remind you of news stories about government waste? How much money and effort is it necessary to spend to find what any person anywhere can find simply by looking for it? That's pretty much the standard for the first term projects that get assigned to students in the 7th and 8th grades. Just another reason to yawn in disinterested boredom when Caleb and Trevor whine that they graduated college $95K in debt but are still unemployable.