Robin Nagle

In a fascinating conversation, Dr. Robin Nagle, a clinical professor and author, dives into the world of waste management as a former NYC sanitation worker. She shares intriguing tales about the treasures found in trash and the surprising value of garbage. Topics include recycling myths, the plastic dilemma, and the future of waste management. Nagle also discusses the societal perceptions of sanitation workers and their essential role in public health. Expect insights on everything from mobsters in landfills to the ethics of disposal!

Robin Nagle, an anthropologist who rode NYC garbage trucks to study urban waste systems. She explores how trash moves from curb to transfer stations, the mechanics of collection trucks, and where landfills and waste-to-energy fit. Conversations cover the history of sanitation, the rise of disposability, and how waste reveals neighborhood life.

Landfills! Treasures in the trash! Corporate conspiracies! Composting! An instantly classic conversation with the incredibly knowledgeable, frank and wonderful Dr. Robin Nagle of New York University’s Liberal Studies! She is a clinical professor, author, TED speaker and former New York City sanitation worker and truly the best person on Earth to trash talk with. We cover what you can and can’t actually recycle, sticky mustard bottles, drugs in the trash, Swedish Death Cleaning, mobsters and landfills, Bitcoin in the dump, the future of garbage and exactly how screwed we are. Enjoy. More episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Oceanology (OCEANS), Urban Rodentology (SEWER RATS), Space Archaeology (SPACE JUNK), Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT), Futurology (THE FUTURE), Disasterology (DISASTERS), Ursinology (BEARS), Eschatology (THE APOCALYPSE), Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING), Scatology (POOP), Agnotology (IGNORANCE), Xylology (LUMBER)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media and Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio ProductionsTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.