Sunday, May 5, 2013
Visual Elements
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| Jardim Gramacho Landfill |
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| Me and two of my friends controlling the recycling center at the Womens Fitness Celebration in Boise, ID |
Interviews
March 17, 2013
Email Interview to North American Recycling
nar@digis.net
Hi my name is Miranda Storey. I am doing a whole project on Wasteland and Recycling for my college English class. I was wondering if you or anyone in your office would please fill out the questions below to the best of your ability. If you have any questions you can email me back or call me at 208-703-8755,
Thank you for your time,
Miranda Storey
1. Why is recycling beneficial to our environment?
2. Are there other things we can do besides recycle?
3. Are there certain things that are not recyclable?
4. What can we do with those things?
5. How has recycling impacted our environment so far?
6. What are some options everyone has to encourage recycling?
7. Do trash companies encourage recycling? How so?
8. Where is the nearest recycling center around here (Nampa area)?
9. Where do we dispose of non-recyclable waste?
10. What are the biggest things that we should recycle?
11. What is the biggest item contributing to our landfills filling up to fast?
12. Can this be eliminated by recycling?
13. What happens if we do not recycle?
14. Should recycling be enforced across the United States? Why or why not?
February 15, 2013
Email Interview to AlmegaProjects, Inc.
Sponsors of Wasteland Film
info@almegaprojects.net
Hi my name is Miranda Storey. I am a Freshman in college and attend the College of Western Idaho. My whole research this semester for my English 102 class deals with wasteland and recycling and how it impacts the world. This may be a big favor to ask, but I wanted to know if you would be willing to answer the questions I have listed below that way I can use and cite your answers in some of my essays? This would be EXTREMELY helpful!
Sincerely,
Miranda Storey
1. Why is recycling beneficial to our environment?
2. Are there other things we can do besides recycle?
3. Are there certain things that are not recyclable?
4. What can we do with those things?
5. What are some options everyone has to encourage recycling?
6. Do trash companies encourage recycling? How so?
7. Where do we dispose of non-recyclable waste?
8. What are the biggest things that we should recycle?
9. What is the biggest item contributing to our landfills filling up to fast?
10. Can this be eliminated by recycling?
11. What happens if we do not recycle?
12. Should recycling be enforced across the United States? Why or why not?
13. Is there anything else you would like to add?
February 13, 2013
Interview to Mindy Lincoln at Melba High School
1. Why is recycling beneficial to our environment?
It not only makes us socially aware of our environment, but it does the obvious, helps preserve our environment and its resources.
2. Are there other things we can do besides recycle?
Certainly be conscious about the air we use--be accountable for participating in air quality preservation; not use resources over abundantly--electrically, etc; and participate in energy efficient programs.
3. Are there certain things that are not recyclable?
The hardest, mostly due to cost in my opinion, are appliances and computers.
4. What can we do with those things?
Certainly "dump" them like suggested by the local environmental agency
5. How has recycling impacted our environment so far?
I think we are on the road to the good. We have addressed air pollution in this area and others, we have cut down on the plastics and/or made them more environmentally safe, and we have certainly brought about awareness across the country
6. What are some options everyone has to encourage recycling?
The first and foremost, do it yourself!
7. Do trash companies encourage recycling? How so?
Yes. In most large cities/populated areas there is curb side recycling. In some large cities, it is mandatory with the possible fine submission
8. Where is the nearest recycling center around here (Nampa area)?
The only one in Nampa is off the Blvd but Nampa does curb side recycling. There are also a few local "dumpsters" for newspaper (like the one at Albertsons on Greenhurst). Those donation dumpsters are for a specific non-profit organization
9. Where do we dispose of non-recyclable waste?
The dump
10. What are the biggest things that we should recycle?
Plastic and paper and office mailers
11. What is the biggest item contributing to our landfills filling up to fast?
I don't know for sure--again my guess would be plastic but don't quote me
12. Can this be eliminated by recycling?
It can certainly make a difference
13. What happens if we do not recycle?
Eventually we have no land to live on and overal health is jeapordized
14. Should recycling be enforced across the United States? Why or why not?
YES! It is the morally responsible thing to do--we were left with resources to use, we need to use those resources responsibly.
15. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Being knowledgable is just step one. Being part of the process is step 2 which will lead to influence of those around you. Simply remembering or training yourself that it can easily been done is vital.
Email Interview to North American Recycling
nar@digis.net
Hi my name is Miranda Storey. I am doing a whole project on Wasteland and Recycling for my college English class. I was wondering if you or anyone in your office would please fill out the questions below to the best of your ability. If you have any questions you can email me back or call me at 208-703-8755,
Thank you for your time,
Miranda Storey
1. Why is recycling beneficial to our environment?
2. Are there other things we can do besides recycle?
3. Are there certain things that are not recyclable?
4. What can we do with those things?
5. How has recycling impacted our environment so far?
6. What are some options everyone has to encourage recycling?
7. Do trash companies encourage recycling? How so?
8. Where is the nearest recycling center around here (Nampa area)?
9. Where do we dispose of non-recyclable waste?
10. What are the biggest things that we should recycle?
11. What is the biggest item contributing to our landfills filling up to fast?
12. Can this be eliminated by recycling?
13. What happens if we do not recycle?
14. Should recycling be enforced across the United States? Why or why not?
February 15, 2013
Email Interview to AlmegaProjects, Inc.
Sponsors of Wasteland Film
info@almegaprojects.net
Hi my name is Miranda Storey. I am a Freshman in college and attend the College of Western Idaho. My whole research this semester for my English 102 class deals with wasteland and recycling and how it impacts the world. This may be a big favor to ask, but I wanted to know if you would be willing to answer the questions I have listed below that way I can use and cite your answers in some of my essays? This would be EXTREMELY helpful!
Sincerely,
Miranda Storey
1. Why is recycling beneficial to our environment?
2. Are there other things we can do besides recycle?
3. Are there certain things that are not recyclable?
4. What can we do with those things?
5. What are some options everyone has to encourage recycling?
6. Do trash companies encourage recycling? How so?
7. Where do we dispose of non-recyclable waste?
8. What are the biggest things that we should recycle?
9. What is the biggest item contributing to our landfills filling up to fast?
10. Can this be eliminated by recycling?
11. What happens if we do not recycle?
12. Should recycling be enforced across the United States? Why or why not?
13. Is there anything else you would like to add?
February 13, 2013
Interview to Mindy Lincoln at Melba High School
1. Why is recycling beneficial to our environment?
It not only makes us socially aware of our environment, but it does the obvious, helps preserve our environment and its resources.
2. Are there other things we can do besides recycle?
Certainly be conscious about the air we use--be accountable for participating in air quality preservation; not use resources over abundantly--electrically, etc; and participate in energy efficient programs.
3. Are there certain things that are not recyclable?
The hardest, mostly due to cost in my opinion, are appliances and computers.
4. What can we do with those things?
Certainly "dump" them like suggested by the local environmental agency
5. How has recycling impacted our environment so far?
I think we are on the road to the good. We have addressed air pollution in this area and others, we have cut down on the plastics and/or made them more environmentally safe, and we have certainly brought about awareness across the country
6. What are some options everyone has to encourage recycling?
The first and foremost, do it yourself!
7. Do trash companies encourage recycling? How so?
Yes. In most large cities/populated areas there is curb side recycling. In some large cities, it is mandatory with the possible fine submission
8. Where is the nearest recycling center around here (Nampa area)?
The only one in Nampa is off the Blvd but Nampa does curb side recycling. There are also a few local "dumpsters" for newspaper (like the one at Albertsons on Greenhurst). Those donation dumpsters are for a specific non-profit organization
9. Where do we dispose of non-recyclable waste?
The dump
10. What are the biggest things that we should recycle?
Plastic and paper and office mailers
11. What is the biggest item contributing to our landfills filling up to fast?
I don't know for sure--again my guess would be plastic but don't quote me
12. Can this be eliminated by recycling?
It can certainly make a difference
13. What happens if we do not recycle?
Eventually we have no land to live on and overal health is jeapordized
14. Should recycling be enforced across the United States? Why or why not?
YES! It is the morally responsible thing to do--we were left with resources to use, we need to use those resources responsibly.
15. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Being knowledgable is just step one. Being part of the process is step 2 which will lead to influence of those around you. Simply remembering or training yourself that it can easily been done is vital.
Letters of Inquiry
March 20, 2013
Miranda Storey
College of Western Idaho
To Jackie De Botton in concern of Tiao Dos Santos:
I am a student at the College of Western Idaho located in
Nampa, ID, in the United States. I have spent a whole semester researching and
drafting papers about waste lands, recycling, and landfill processes. I am
highly interested in all aspects regarding these topics. I have written a paper
about your movie Waste Land and how the catadores lives were affected by artist
Vik Muniz’s work. It was a great inspiration.
I am writing to inquire on how the catadores are doing
today, since the closure of the Jardim Gramacho landfill. How is Tiao, and what
are his new ways of promoting recycling across Brazil? What happened to the
catadores when the landfill was closed, and how has this affected Tiao’s
efforts?
It would be truly amazing if you could respond back to me,
as this is a subject I take to heart.
Sincerely,
Miranda Storey
April 1, 2013
Miranda Storey
College of Western Idaho
To whom it may concern:
I am a student at the College of Western Idaho located in
Nampa, ID. I have spent a majority of my semester writing about recycling and all the the things it does for our environment. I know that you have great knowledge in this area, and I am hoping you can share some of this knowledge with me.
I am writing to inquire on how you feel recycling has helped our environment? As well as, if you think recycling is something that should be part of everyone's daily routine? Also, should there be a law put into place to make people recycle?
It would be truly amazing if you could respond back to me,
as this is a subject I take to heart.
Sincerely,
Miranda Storey
Film Analysis (Essay #2)
Miranda
Storey
mirandastorey@mycwi.cc
English
102
Film
Analysis
15
April 2013
Waste
Land: An Analysis of Recycling
In Brazil lays one of the largest waste dumps in the world,
supporting over 9,000 tons of garbage a day (Ortiz). The Jardim Gramacho
landfill poses many hazards to the environment and to the people who have
worked there their whole lives. Tiao, an impoverished catadore, or picker of
garbage, and president of the Association of Pickers of Jardim Gramacho
declares, “’We are not pickers of garbage; we are pickers of recyclable
materials’” (Holden, C4). Tiao was one of the main characters in the late film
titled Waste Land where artist Vik
Muniz went above and beyond to create a masterpiece of art. Muniz did not
intend to go to Brazil and change the lives of the catadores while creating his
artwork, he intended to let them reimagine what their life could be like and
teach them lessons along the way.
Waste Land is a
film created to portray artist Vik Muniz’s work as he intended to paint the “pickers
of garbage” in the Jardim Gramacho landfill. The film follows the lives of the
unfortunate people that Muniz meets while photographing the piles of garbage.
Seven unbelievable catadores become a work of art as Muniz masterminds his
pieces, and leads them to hope for a better life. While working with the
catadores, feelings are discovered that would not have been seen from a far: the
despair expressed on their faces as they tell the stories of their lives; the
dignity the catadores hold themselves with as they tell about their job; and
the heart-touching spirits that shine as they cry over Vik’s artwork as it is
revealed to them (Walker). Isis, one of the pickers sadly expresses, “Look
Vik…this isn’t a future” (Walker). This film portrays how people who have hit
rock bottom, still do what they can to help save the environment and take pride
in their jobs along the way. The catadores’ lives become the main focus of the
movie, and watching them change while Muniz completes his artwork artwork is a
unique experience.
The film shows that the catadores lead a very harsh
lifestyle. Most of them are sick and away from their families to work or are
alone and have no family left. Their hard work symbolizes their hope for a new
and better life- a life that Muniz shows them when he is working. Suelem, an 18
year old picker who has two children already and another on the way says she is
proud of her work. She takes pride in what she does because she is not selling
her body or dealing drugs, like most pretty girls do (Holden C4). This
statement is valuable because it shows that although Suelem could be at home,
doing the work that most girls do, she chooses to work miles away from her
family to bring home enough money to support them.
As
times get harder in America, women are faced with this same decision, which
often times changes their lives, either for better or worse. Another important
message the film portrays is that Americans are spoiled and need to take a look
at what is happening, and stop it before it gets out of hand. Magna, another
picker points out, “It’s easy for you to be sitting there at home in front of
your television consuming whatever you want and tossing everything in the trash
and leaving it out on the street for the garbage truck to take it away but
where does it go?” (Walker). This quote enhances the fact that often times
Americans will lead their everyday lives without caring what is thrown into the
closest trash bin. Some Americans are careless about what they throw away, and
do not think about where their mounds of trash are going or the effects it
causes on other people or their environment. The catadores of Jardim Gramacho
know the meaning of recycling and they know how to do without; yet they still
lead a very happy life.
Muniz
becomes a hero to the catadores; showing them how their situations can be
different, and leads them to the realization of a new life. He has completely
changed the life of one picker in particular: Tiao dos Santos, the president of
Jardim Gramacho landfill as mentioned above. Tiao is photographed in an
abandoned bathtub to mimic the late painting, “The Death of Marat” from 1793.
Tiao’s photograph is then sold in London for over 50,000 US dollars. He plans
to use that money to give back to the catadores and to the environment as much
as he can (Holden C4). The transformation Tiao undergoes during the film is
enlightening, because he is discouraged and ready to give up at the beginning
(Walker), but by the end, after he sees what ambition could give, he is ready
to take on a whole new life. In essence, the film’s overall message is how
trash is recycled and how it is given a new life over and over again until it finally
gets buried in a landfill. Muniz is recycling the lives of the catadores,
selling their portraits of garbage and giving the money back to the catadores
so they can better their lives.
Muniz
did not intend to change the lives of the catadores while he was working in
Brazil. However through his artwork the catadores are able to reimagine what their
lives could be like. The importance of life, how it is lived, and the choices
made are all part of the film’s message. Magna makes a very powerful claim when
she points out that Americans are careless about what is thrown away, not
thinking about where the trash is hauled off to (Walker). Valter Santos stated
just weeks before his death, “People sometimes say ‘one single can?’ One single
can is of great importance because 99 is not 100 and that single one will make
the difference” (Walker). This is the attitude humans need to adopt. Americans need
to realize that 99 is indeed not 100 and that just that “one single can” will
make a difference when it comes to the environment. The most important thing
the film portrays is that much like the life of garbage, humans can recycle
their own lives too. With hard work and a vision of what life can be like,
anything is possible for not only the catadores, but for all.
Works Cited
Brocchetto,
Marilia, and Azadeh Ansari. "Landfill." CNN: Cable News Network.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., 5 JUNE 2012. Web. 16 Mar 2013.
Holden,
Stephen. "From a Universe of Trash, Recycling Art and Hope." New York
Times. (2010): C4. Print.
Ortiz,
Fabiola. "Brazil Closes Symbol of Environmental Degradation." Global
Issues. Inter Press Service, 4 JUNE 2012. Web. 23 Mar 2013.
Walker,
Lucy, Waste Land. Dir. Jao Jardim, Karen Harley, and Vik Muniz. 2010. Film. 12
Feb 2013.
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