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 »
With the past week’s readings, I thought that it was a very interesting perspective to explore with waste workers. Though there were many differences between the workers in New York versus the pedal people, they share a similar role and job, where they are collecting waste and maintaining a clean community. Despite their differences in
Reflection on Waste workers and safety Read More »
This week’s analysis of two different waste working systems was very interesting in revealing common challenges the job entails, but also unveils stark contrasts between methods and opens up new possibilities for analyzing existing systems that may have seemed conceptually farfetched in prior times. For example, the mere concept of being able to haul waste
Waste Workers: The obvious and the hidden Read More »
The everyday ritual of waste disposal, typically a passing thought in our daily lives, reveals a significant story of human effort and societal responsibility when we take the time to consider the work of waste workers. From the busy metropolis of New York City, where the DSNY reigns supreme, to the smaller-scale, community-centered operations of
Personal Reflection on Waste Workers Read More »
Waste workers often perform a job most people take for granted. Every day, they go through the enormous volumes of trash, recyclables, and discarded material society produces, ensuring our spaces are clean and habitable. Although they are an essential part of our infrastructure, they are largely underappreciated and exposed to huge health and safety risks.
Personal Reflection on Waste Workers. Read More »
Questions for this week: Who does the dirty work of waste removal in major cities in the Global North? What are their experiences like? What forms do their organizations take? How can waste work be used as a form of resistance to dominant economic structures? What strategies can waste workers use to challenge the stigma