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