Journey to the Landfill

Journey to the Landfill

Most people are not aware that throwing trash away is a lot more serious than they think. Before the trip to the landfill, I was one of these people, throwing garbage in the nearest trash can I could find. After seeing mountains of trash being pored into the ground by giant trucks that would pass every second, my view on recycling drastically changed. It is important for people to know the difference between recyclables and non-recyclables as it can keep the world much cleaner.

When we arrived to the landfill there was less trash around than I expected but I soon learned that it was all under ground. Just because we don't see things it doesn't mean that they aren't happening. There is a simple reason why people don’t see it. It is not because they have no interest and think its unimportant, but it’s because no body has ever pointed out the topic. For example schools never introduce the point, so how are people supposed to develop thoughts and passions on saving the environment. David Orr says, "Education must now be measured against the standards of decency and human survival." Orr's biggest argument is that education these days only focuses on how to make money but not how to save the planet. I think that he has a good point because during my past school years very little was taught to me on how to keep the world cleaner.

The tour guide at the landfill showed us how much trash was wasted that could have been recycled and put to better use. Burying trash in a landfill causes contamination to the environment because they contaminate watercourses, groundwater, and they pollute the air with gasses produced by the landfill. It is important for people to know this but not only because of the environment but also for the people that work there. A little more time spent when thinking where to throw something will make their lives a little easier.

 “Thich Nhat Hanh offered a way of thinking about pedagogy which emphasized wholeness, a union of mind, body, and spirit.” The field trip to the landfill was an excellent way to practice the ways of engaged pedagogy. From all the chaos and dirt at the dumping sites of the landfill, I had noticed some flowers growing from the ground. My interpretation from this was more of an artistic way. I believed that it symbolized hope, will, and courage of the people. People who are actually acknowledging what is happening and what has to be done.

Like the method of engaged pedagogy, it is important to have the connection between what we learn, and our life experiences.