The History of WASTE!

Beyond Recycling

What is WASTE?

Think about how you can define waste using each of your senses:

» SIGHT» SMELL» TASTE» HEARING» TOUCH

From the Dictionary!

WASTE:

unwanted or

undesirable material

THE WASTE WE CREATE

On average, Canadians are producing 2 Kg. of waste

every day!

Do you think we have always produced so created this much waste?

CAVEMAN

• Very little waste, as everything re-used

• All tools, clothing and shelter was natural

• 0 kilograms of waste: everything was returned to the earth

Prehistoric Farmers

• Started small communities

• Began building barns and houses

• Construction materials made up most waste

• Only about 0.2 kg of waste per person

Ancient Greece

• Larger cities were built

• People began producing and buying more material items

• No organized waste collectors

• Waste increased to 0.5 kg per person

Industrial Revolution• Increased use of natural

resources (coal, wood…)

• Steel production increased

• Lots of smog, garbage, disease

• More waste, almost 1 kilogram per person

Mid 1900’s

• More jobs and money, so people began consuming more

• Products being used without thinking about the future, for example toxic chemicals

• Waste increased to 1.2 kg per person

Present Day• New technology

developed every day!

• Lots of opportunity to spend money

• More ‘convenience’ items than ever before (the Swiffer!)

• We produce 2 KG OF WASTE PER PERSON!

What has happened

to the amount of

WASTE created by humans

OVER TIME?

A CHANGE THROUGH HISTORY

How do people today use the earth

differently than the Cavemen?

The caveman produced very

little waste: what would they

have done differently?

What can you do?

EVERYONE can make a difference and reduce their impact on the planet.

What did you have for breakfast?

How did you get to school?

Did you shower or brush your teeth?

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