About 10 DtaSers hauled themselves to the SF Dump for a tour of the facilities. SF has a huge disposal facility with many separates parts: There’s hazardous disposal (paint, batteries, oil, e-waste, etc.), public dump (for all your personal dumping needs at $123.07/ton), the recycling center (bottles and cans just claps your hand, just clap your hands), and of course the good ol’ household garbage transfer station.

The sheer volume of garbage was staggering…about 14-18 tons per day goes straight to the landfill. Looking out at the field of garbage, it felt like a sea of plastic. In addition, you could see thousands of recyclable items mixed in with the garbage. It’s easy to understand why recycling rates for plastic have stayed flat over the past ten years when you look out on this heap.

The tour was heavily attended by artists seeking the exclusive Artist in Residency. We got to meet the two current artists, Casey Logan and Barbara Holmes. Casey makes science meets absurdity meets trash sculptures (he found a place in my heart), while Barbara has a furniture maker background. She keeps a blog on her experiences at the dump, check it out at http://www.re-f-use.blogspot.com.

I’ll be heading back for a tour of the Recycling Sorting Center on the 28th (4th Monday of every month @ 930 AM). I’ll have more to say after that experience. In the meantime, check out pics from the event:

Mark Schapiro, author of Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products, discussed his book late last year on KQED Forum. It’s a good listen for the first 20 minutes.

The discussion focuses on the plain fact: thousands of products we use everyday (cosmetics, cleaners, etc.) have chemicals that simply are not tested for the safety on humans.

Current US policy requires proof (significant conclusiveness) that these chemicals endanger humans. The EU policy is more precautionary, if mounting scientific evidence points to potential problems, the government will act even if there is no clear conclusion yet.

The EU (worlds largest economy) and China (3rd largest economy) have taken the lead on pursuing regulation on these chemicals…a dynamic shift in power in global policy decision making. Mark states that Brussels has now become the seat for all these decisions. Mark postulates that this is leading to isolation of the US, especially when it comes to global environmental policy.

There is a great story in the book about the ratification of POPs (persistent organic pollutant…the really nasty identified carcinogens). The US, who has been steadfastly against the treaty, was left without voice in the discussion due to their opposition. However, a US delegation was still at the meeting, but to deliver their message…they would pass notes to the Congolese delegation, as they were the only group willing to present the US point of view.

It’s another great example on the intersection of science & policy, a theme at the cafes of late.

In October, I’ll be giving a talk at DtaS titled: Bottled vs Tap: How do we choose? It’ll be an in-depth discussion on the choices behind our water consumption (health, environment, safety, convenience, etc.). I’ve been giving the talk for a while, should be a fun translation to the science cafe format.

This past week on Science Friday, Elizabeth Royte discussed her new book
Bottlemania. The book details the rise of the bottle water industry and the subsequent decline in our public water infrastructure. In 1987, Americans drank about 5 gallons of bottled water per year, now that number has rocketed to 28 gallons. At the same time, consumption of soda and other water-like beverages has increased tenfold.

It’s an interesting dilemma…bottled water offers the lure of safety, health, convenience, and even some style (I’ve been known to buy a bottle of Dasani, owned by Coca-Cola, just because of the pleasing blue tint). Yet, how much safer is it? Is it healthier than tap? What about the environmental impact? Convenience issues can be overcome too, no?

Elizabeth tackles these questions in the most interesting part of the book, the story of Freyburg, Maine. It is home to one of the bottling plants for Poland Spring, the largest bottled water supplier in the U.S.. A town that revolted against bottled water production as it threatens local supplies of freshwater. Seeing pictures of local communities fight against bottled water, yet many see it as salvation (20-30 million in this country don’t have access to consistently safe water without treatment).

The old axiom sticks…you don’t buy water, you just rent it. It’s just a matter of how much you pay.