GARBOLOGY ACTIVITY:
The Science of Trash Campus Beautification Project

You bet “Don’t Mess With Texas” and that includes your campus and local parks! Your garbology activity is more than a beautification project, which is not a bad thing. You are actually conducting a basic science field project, by collecting, identify and tracking the type trash. You can then take it a step further, as a true Community Service project, by pinpointing specific sources compounding the problems and then attempt to develop solutions!

Pre/Post Assessment

• Conduct two garbology activities before and after a “Take Action!” activity. Your results from the garbology activities will serve as pre- and post-assessment data.
• Review the materials and download the Garbology forms

Activity: Garbology Collection, Analysis, and Publication

1. Garbology on Campus

   Your StuCo will identify a specific area of your campus for garbology collection (“trash pickup”). Each item of trash collected will be tallied and categorized. The analysis will consist of determining trends in littering and sources of the litter. Results from the collection and analysis will be posted online to share with your fellow students, teachers, parents, and community members.

   Garbology Step 1 – Collection

   1. Most collection groups will consist of several individuals, which will need to be broken up into pairs. Each pair will identify an area for collection that does not overlap with another pair’s area. You will need to measure the latitude and longitude of this area and provide the information to your advisor (who will need it to create an online field site for “Garbology Step 3 – Publication”).
   2. Find a partner with which to work: one of you will pick up trash (“collector”) while the other takes notes (“note-taker”).
   3. Always wear gloves when picking u trash. Remember that safety is the first priority. If something looks toxic, dangerous or is dead, leave that item there and inform you advisor or your proper local authority.
   4. Walk about your designated collection area with a garbage bag and pick up each piece of trash. Do not throw it into your garbage gab yet!
   5. The note-take will track the garbage by making tally marks on your Garbology Step 1 worksheet. After the note-take has recorded the garbage, it may be thrown into the garbage bag.

   6. Be aware of garbage patterns and recurring garbage items. To the side of your sheet, record any helpful notes on garbage you are finding so that when you visit your site again, you might be able to determine the source of the garbage you are finding.

      TIP: Post observations in your journal on the secured student area of the 4e web site to track your comments and thoughts during the year.

   7. Question what you find. Is the majority of your garbage water-based (light sticks, fishing line, buoys) or land-based (picnic supplies, fast food wrappers, six-cola pack rings)?
   8. Along the coast, take note of any foreign labels and dead or entangled animals because you will be recording these on you Garbology Step 2 worksheet.
   9. After you are finished, add up each tally and record under “item tally”; then, find the sum of that type of garbage (i.e., paper, metal, etc.).
   10. Next, add all of the items you found and record under “total items collected”.

   11. See step three, be sure to upload and publish the data to your field project on the 4e web site as soon as possible after the collection, include photos of the event (only post photos using first names).

       TIP: Join forces, collaborate with other student organizations to share the load and partner with other schools in your district. Develop a mentor program to work with younger grade levels. Consider an advanced project by collaborating with StuCo’s in other areas of the state, perhaps those up and down your local river or coast.

   Garbology Step 2 – Analysis

   The objective of this sheet is to determine the source of your trash after it has been collected at your site and tallied.

   Major Component(s) of Category: List the specific type of trash that was predominant in each category (i.e., under Plastic, one school has found a predominance of shopping plastic bags).

   Number of Items Collected: This is the total number you found ion the first worksheet for each category. Just transfer the number to this sheet.

   Percent of Total: This will help you determine the dominant garbage category that you have collected. Take the total number of items collected and divide that number into the number of each total number of items collected. Then, multiply that number times 100 to find the percentage.

   At the bottom of the form, you should be as specific as you can about dead, live, and/or entangled animals you find as well as foreign labels on garbage you find.

   Garbology Step 3 – Publication

   The objective of this exercise is to share the results of the data collection and analysis.

   • Ask your advisor to establish an online field site using the 4empowerment web site
   • Log into the 4empowerment website (www.4empowerment.com) using your student account issued to you by your advisor. If you don’t have one, you will need to ask your advisor to create one for you.
   • Go to the “Cyberways and Waterways” tab and click on “Enter Data”.
     Select your field or campus site name and follow the directions for entering data.
   • Once you submit your data, your advisor will need to review and approve the data. Once approved, your data will be published and immediately available to the public.
   • Now you may go on to other sections of this activity:
   1. Garbology in Your Community
   2. Make It a Project!
   3. Or simply tell your friends or school newspaper to check out your results online!

2. Garbology in Your Community

   You will identify a specific area of your community for garbology collection (“trash pickup”). Each item of your trash collected will be tallied and categorized. The analysis will consist of determining trends in littering and sources of the litter. Use the procedures found in Section A. “Garbology on Your Campus” for garbology collection and analysis.

3. Special Events

   Conduct garbology activities around these special dates for the greatest impact!

   Sept 18 - 24– National Pollution Prevention Week
   Sept 16 – International Coastal Cleanup Day
   Oct 18 – World Water Monitoring Day
   April 16 (approximate) – Geocaching’s “Cache In Trash Out” Day
   April 22 – Earth Day
   June 5 – United Nations “World Environment Day”

Make It a Project!

1. A. Big Picture Project Ideas
   1. Partner with another school or district to compare garbology data between campuses. Who has the cleanest campus? Why?
   2. Partner with school or district to compare garbology data between community parks dispersed throughout your community. Which park is the cleanest? Why? Consider:
   • Number of trash bins made available
   • Recreational uses
   • Number of posted signs discouraging litter
   • Partner with another school or district to compare garbology data upstream and downstream from a recreational source.
2. Take Action!
   • Present your findings at your next Student Council meeting and suggest ways they can help to reduce littering on campus.
   • Present your findings at your next School Board meeting and suggest ways they can help to reduce littering on campuses.
   • Present your findings at your next City Council meeting and suggest ways they can help to reduce littering in the community.
   • Present your findings at your next Parent/Teacher Association or Organization meeting and suggest ways they can help to reduce littering on campus and in the community.
   • Check out the 4empowerment web site for more ideas