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TEST 332 A Natural History of Garbage - Kucher: Starting Points

Why Study Garbage?

Industrialized societies face an ecological crisis that challenges the existing paradigm of waste management. From "garbage" to "green manufacturing," this course will take an interdisciplinary approach to trace changing perceptions and practices regarding cast-off materials. - Dr. Michael Kucher

We also learn about human behavior by studying what we throw away. In his study of human waste, archaeologist William Rathje found that although people frequently reported that they ate healthy foods and recycled regularly, their garbage gave clear evidence to the contrary. In this way, the study of garbage can help to give an unvarnished view of human behaviors and practices. - UNC Research Laboratories of Archaeology.

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