Drowning in Garbage? Archaeology, Solid Waste, and Recycling at SFU
Grant program: Teaching and Learning Development Grant (TLDG)
Grant recipient: David Maxwell, Department of Archaeology
Project team: Megan Wong, research assistant
Timeframe: July 2018 to June 2019
Funding: $6000
Final report: View David Maxwell's final report (PDF)
Description: I would like to create a course where students can not only learn about issues relating to solid waste management, but get involved in a hands-on fashion, learning exactly what some of the challenges are here at Simon Fraser University, and eventually, away from campus.
Questions addressed:
- What is the level of interest for this type of course?
- What are potential health and safety concerns and how could we address them?
- What ethical concerns may arise and how could we address them?
- What kind of coordination and involvement of other parties would be required?
Knowledge sharing: Our findings have been shared primarily at Archaeology Department Faculty meetings, and at meetings of the Archaeology Department Undergraduate Executive Committee.
Keywords: Archaeology, Garbage Project, Solid Waste Management, Recycling, Landfill, Modern Material Culture, Waste Audit