My object that I retrieved from the trash is a plastic fork, I got it from FPH in classroom 107. The experience was quite odd at first if I’m being honest. I was on a run and after that I decided to start dumpster diving. I stopped at every one I saw. I was finding that it was the same objects being thrown away in most of the trash cans. A lot of soda cans, plastic cups, to go containers and paper plates from the dining hall, and papers. It felt weird holding my phone flashlight peering into dumpsters, it just isn’t something that you’d normally see someone do. However we are at Hampshire so I don’t think people will think it’s that abnormal. I got into it and thought I’d find more interesting discarded objects inside and even though a plastic fork is not all that interesting it is an object I think is useful.
I believe there are many reasons why this particular object is regarded as waste in our culture. In “A Brief History of a Tomato” capitalism is the dominant theme/point. In it the “freegans” live off of the leftovers of capitalism’s endless mass production of material objects and American societies’ wasteful food practices. I would say capitalism is why this fork was thrown away. It’s made of plastic, which in my opinion is the material that is most associated with being trash. Not to say that other materials can’t be thrown away, but plastic is more often used than others for one time use things like packaging (on just about anything), grocery bags, trash bags, drink bottles, straws, etc. It is also used for more long term use items as well, but it is cheap to produce and extremely versatile so it’s not a wonder why humans use it so much.
More specifically on plastic forks, they’re given out in plentiful amounts here at Hampshire and elsewhere so I understand why people would throw them away if they know next time they need one a new one will be there. I keep a couple in my room and will use them when I bring meals back.
