Think the Earth

If you knew that an electronic device that you threw away would pollute, say, a certain African country, would you still throw it away as trash?

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will start tracking trash disposed of in New York, Seattle and London from September. They will attach special wireless location markers to 3000 pieces of various daily trash, and monitor each piece's individual journey. Since the location markers use cell phone networks worldwide, monitored trash can be tracked even beyond the oceans.

This research aims to change people's awareness and behavior towards trash by showing them exactly where each piece of trash ends up. It will also try to highlight problems in the current recycling and sanitation systems. The migration patterns of trash will be shown both on-line and at exhibitions to be held during September in New York and Seattle.

So, by knowing the environmental impact of our own trash, we should all be able to make more environmentally friendly decisions when buying and throwing away goods.