I found this week’s discussions on landfills to be very interesting overall. In particular, before this week, I was not aware of the concept of a “sanitary landfill,” and I always tended to assume that there was not such a thing as landfills that are designed with environmental concerns in mind. As we discussed in […]
Personal Reflection on Landfills Read More »
Boston’s sewage problems are much older and complex than I had initially anticipated before these readings. One striking fact that I learned during these readings was the privatization of many of the sewer systems early on, which later on led to unknown sewage pipes and systems throughout the city. When the city began to attempt
The Striking Dirtiness of the Charles River and boston sewers Read More »
I think that there is a fascinating discussion around the question of where waste is ‘supposed’ to be in relation to this week’s readings, particularly in relation to the social contract often formed by people and governments. The first thing I find fascinating is how long it took for people to not only become upset
Where waste is ‘supposed’ to be Read More »
The way modern cities handle waste and wastewater really showcases both our creativity and our disregard for the environment. Take ‘sanitary’ landfills, for instance—they’re a step up from open dumps, but they still have significant flaws. While they do a better job of containing waste and preventing immediate contamination, they also contribute to long-term pollution
Reflection on ‘Sanitary’ landfills, wastewater, and city structure. Read More »
I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the processes that led to the creation of the Boston we know today. The land under our feet and the sewage systems that we utilize on a daily basis are typically taken for granted. The Main Drainage Works source we read from 1888, describes both the early sewer structure and
Reflection on Boston’s early sewage Infrastructure. Read More »
Questions for this week: How did ‘sanitary landfills’ develop? What are landfills primarily composed of? Why don’t things biodegrade much in landfills? What environmental risks do they pose? What waste challenges did Boston and other similar cities face in the early industrial era? How has waste (literally) shaped Boston? Readings:
‘Sanitary’ landfills, wastewater, and city structure Read More »
In New York City, sanitation is controlled by a strict hierarchical system. Every worker answers to supervisors, who answer to higher levels of management. There are alternative models such as worker cooperatives, which offers a radically different way of organizing waste collection. But which method is better? The New York city Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
Worker Cooperatives vs. Hierarchical Sanitation Read More »
There could not be a bigger difference in organizational style than there is between the hyper structured nature of the New York Department of Sanitation and the decentralized form of Pedal People. The DSNY was described as “pseudo-military”, featuring an extensive hierarchical network of different supervisors and authority figures. On the other hand, Pedal People
Pedal People: Issues with Expansion Read More »
This week I took a picture of my family‘s trashcan since I’ve been home for spring break. Initially, looking at the photo one can see that this is a larger trashcan, and most of the items inside that I could see have plastic parts. I also see multiple different packaging items that have been thrown
This week’s readings highlight the stark differences between typical DSNY workers and the Pedal People. What stands out most to me is how the Pedal People prioritize emotional well-being and mutual care within their business, something rarely seen in traditional urban maintenance jobs. DSNY employees are predominantly men who operate within a system shaped by
The Stark Difference Between DSNY and Pedal People Read More »