header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Take a Hike | Commentary by Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel
| Sunday, Mar 1, 2015

DianneErskineHellrigelI’ve often said that living with less can be a good thing. Reduce, reuse, recycle. I use metal water bottles over and over again; I reuse my kitchen trash in the compost bin in my garden; and I make my own paper with scrap paper from the mailbox and other waste that would generally go into the landfill.

The story I’m about to tell you, frankly, is something I would not try, but this is one man’s experiment into the darkest depths of cutting back.

Below is a photo of a dumpster. We’ve all seen them. But, can you imagine living in one? (Not only no, but h— no, was my initial response). Read on.

Trash Dumpster in SlumsA college professor named Jeff Wilson lived in a dumpster for a year. It was located on the campus of the Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, where he teaches.

Wilson, an environmental studies professor, wanted to prove one could live happily and in health in a very small space. After all, millions of people around the world live in a lot less space than we are used to. So he set about finding a new home in a dumpster. The dumpster he chose had 33 square feet of living space. The average American home has about 2,500 square feet.

dumpster4Having lots of collections from the many countries I have visited, and a collection of Venetian and Czech glass, I find it difficult to imagine living in 33 square feet. But Wilson managed to do it in comfort for a year. He had an air conditioner, a shower, toilet, kitchen, wi-fi and even solar power.

The professor said he wanted to be the ultimate “one-percenter.” His goal was to create only 1 percent of the waste that is created in the average home, and use 1 percent of the energy and water we all do.

“Professor Dumpster,” as he was lovingly called, spent his days teaching environmental science, and in the dumpster, he was testing sustainable technologies and low-waste living.

dumpster3Students had a lot to say about him living in a trash bin, including the possibility of homeless people finding shelter in a trash-can village. They began to think in terms of a minimalist. They donated time and skills to the project, and cut out things like cars, which cause pollution, and in some students’ minds were completely unnecessary. Everything they needed was within walking distance of the university. The Dumpster Project began giving tours of dumpster homes to encourage more people to take the plunge into dumpster living.

dumpster1The question for the future is: How can we equip upcoming generations with the tools they need to have a sustainable lifestyle? One answer is with a 33-square-foot dumpster and a team of dumpster experts to transform a trash container into a sustainable house.

I wonder how many people could actually do this, unless it were necessary?

dumpster5Dr. Karen Magid, known as Doctor Basura (“trash” in Spanish), is the project manager for the dumpster project at the university. Dr. Amanda Masino, aka The Dirt-y Professor, is the head of the Green is the New Black student group and an assistant professor of biology. She also works on the dumpster project. She is working on a dumpster science lab.

Dr. Jeff Wilson, aka Professor Dumpster, lived in the dumpster for a year, proving it is possible to be happy and healthy in less space.

OK, readers … who’s going to try this next? If this isn’t for you, you might like to nominate your favorite teacher. The Dumpster Project is currently taking nominations.

 

 

Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel is executive director of the Community Hiking Club and president of the Santa Clara River Watershed Conservancy. If you’d like to be part of the solution, join the Community Hiking Club’s Stewardship Committee. Contact Dianne through communityhikingclub.org or at zuliebear@aol.com.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

4 Comments

  1. I save the rubber bands from papers thrown on our driveway and wrapped around broccoli. When we had a guinea pig, I used the shreds from our paper shredder to line the bottom of the cage. (Green and saves $$) The round cardboard circle behind the frozen pizzas can be wrapped in foil and reused as a cake platter. The cardboard mushroom boxes can be reused in SO many ways! Misprints from your printer can be reused as note paper. I usually cut stacks in half and staple them. Plastic produce bags have many uses including doggy poop bags. I wash out plastic butter tubs/Cool Whip containers and reuse. The tops of these containers can be used for arts and crafts: holding glue or glitter, etc. Many of the `to go’ containers from fast food restaurants can be washed and reused. I wash out the plastic Starbucks cups and reuse many times. I have saved large oatmeal containers and coffee cans and donated them to my local kindergarten class to use for art projects. :)

  2. T. Jones says:

    I do all the things Michele Klein Feldman does and more. Reduce and reuse is the key. Very little of what we “recycle” is actually recycled. Most still end up in landfills–sorry to tell the truth or better yet, get you searching for it. However, I’ve never understood these demonstrations of silliness by…living in a dumpster, kids sleeping in a cardboard box, celebrities eating beans and rice et, al. We need real solutions. Not feel-goodism. Living in a dumpster was like camping or a tree house for this guy. He’s young, idealistic and now seemingly celebrated by those who think this is a viable idea. It’s not. Micro house movement-yes, living in a dumpster-no.

  3. T. Jones says:

    Furthermore, I think the idea of sympathizing with the homeless by living in a dumpster is insulting. Really…I have to live in a dumpster to “understand” how much it sucks? Whats’s next do I have to have cancer to understand how much that sucks too. Sorry, I don’t think so!

  4. Tessa Lucero says:

    I’m all for reduce, reuse, recycle, especially reducing consumption since reusing requires space to keep things you intend to reuse and recycling consumes resources even if the items do get recycled. However, living in a dumpster seems a bit extreme. How much did it cost in time, money, and materials to outfit that dumpster to become living space? How energy-efficient is an uninsulated dumpster? And what happens when the first Texas-sized tornado comes along?

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
SCVNews.com