A month ago, my Advisor approached me to let me know that a research position became available for a new project studying food waste. I jumped at the opportunity and the pretty penny that accompanied the work. I signed on to two weeks of weighing work.
The reality, six early mornings over three weeks, picking up, weighing, and recording. I was surprised to find that people didn't seem to mind the fact that we were handling their refuse. Most even welcomed us.
The area that we weighed Monday use the bag system, which upholds the city-wide three-stream system, collecting mixed recycling, organic waste, and solid waste. Guelph is dynamic because curbside waste is required to be put in a transparent, coloured bag, based on the type of waste being disposed of. Organics are green, recyclables are blue, and garbage is clear. There are many arguments against this transparent approach to accountability, but I am a wholehearted fan. I strongly believe that transparency will lead to accountability and honesty. At least I hope.
In this project, we planned to get weights for all three streams. The garbage is only collected every other week, so things disposed of in this stream are pretty mucky and have potentially been kept out for 2 weeks, or more if the household failed to put out their trash two weeks prior. I've done it before, it happens.
I was surprised to find just how much people were throwing out, and just how fast bugs accumulate... Maggots and maggot seeds became no stranger to the work we were doing.
I wrote with my right and lifted with my left. Probably not the best strategy... I will have to revise before my 5am work call tomorrow morning. Yipee.
Here's a bit more on the project we're doing. Word's getting out!
