/ Source: The Associated Press
Ari Derfel leads a trashy life. He just wants to remind everyone else that they do, too.
The 35-year-old Berkeley caterer said he has saved every piece of trash he has generated over the past year to see how much garbage one person creates.
The experiment began as a way to examine his own consumption habits, Derfel said, but grew into a statement about consumerism and the environment.
"When we throw something away, what does 'away' mean?" Derfel said. "There's no such thing as 'away.'"
The refuse — including every tissue, receipt, food wrapper and plastic bottle — lies in bins in the kitchen and living room of Derfel's apartment. He composts his food scraps.
Derfel said he eventually hopes to donate his accumulated waste to a sculptor.
