Garbology is the scientific study of garbage and its reflection on people’s lifestyles. It has revealed information about waste biodegradation and types of landfill items. Garbology is also used by law enforcement and investigative reporters. It is not limited to modern cultures and can provide archaeological information.
Garbology, a small niche of archeology, is the scientific study of garbage and how it reflects on the lifestyles of a group of people. The concept was first introduced to academics in 1971 by University of Arizona professor William Rathje, and the field has gained popularity in recent decades.
This field has provided the world with startling information regarding the amount of time it takes for waste to biodegrade and the types of items that are sent to landfills. It has also produced popular culture revelations regarding alleged thoughts on the habits of certain groups, including different genders. The study of trash can be as simple as dissecting the contents of a dumpster, or as involved as digging up part of a landfill. The discipline has also attracted the attention of many law enforcement and government agencies, many of which use the practice to thwart crime by seeking evidence of illegal activity.
The term garbology often refers to the scientific aspect, but it can also be used as jargon, labeling the work of waste management workers and garbage collectors. It can also be applied to investigative reporters who use a person’s trash to get more information for a story. Despite these two derivatives of the word’s popular meaning, the study of trash in academic circles remains strong. Many schools, recycling centers, and even several universities offer field courses to improve community awareness of the amount and type of waste a population may be passing through on a regular basis.
Furthermore, garbology is not a science that focuses strictly on modern cultures. Specialists in the field are often called to an archaeological site when a civilization has left nothing but its waste. Waste taken from historic sites can provide archaeologists with information about a time period that may not be available otherwise.
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