This infographic is inspired by questions I frequently ask myself after discarding an item into the garbage can. How much waste am I producing and what would that look like? Will the bottle I just threw away end up being recycled or in the landfill? How long does it take to decompose? I am particularly interested in the long-term impacts of municipal solid waste (MSW) because of its negative impacts on the environment, such as microplastics. I decided to use the Average American lifetime (~79 years old) in comparison to how long it takes household items to decompose via timeline visualization. This way, someone can better envision how long our waste outlives us.
The remainder of the infographic describes and visualizes the current state (2017) of MSW production in the United States, how production compares globally, and environmental concerns. It utilizes the visual volume of CenturyLink Field in Seattle to help the viewer comprehend the immense amount of waste produced annually in the U.S.. Calculations are based on the EPA’s estimate of MSW density (https://www.waste360.com/mag/waste_municipal_solid_waste) and the stadium size. The infographic also offers insights into sustainable practices to combat unnecessary production of waste.
Programs used: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop
Created Spring 2020
Printable size 24” x 36”