These Photos of People Lying in Their Trash Will Make You Re-Think Your Own Consumption

Have you ever thought about just how much waste you produce in a week? Have you considered how this waste pile-up might fare as compared to your neighbors, friends, or family? Well, here’s one way to consider it: photographer Gregg Segal, in his photo project, titled “7 Days of Garbage” shows individuals, couples, and families lying in their own trash — literally!

Segal explains his project: “7 Days of Garbage is a series of portraits of friends, neighbors, and other acquaintances with the garbage they accumulate in the course of a week. Subjects are photographed surrounded by their trash in a setting that is part nest, part archeological record. We’ve made our bed and in it we lie.”

In this thought-provoking photo series, you can view just what people throw away — and how it stacks up as a whole.

Here are some examples from the series:

When we take a look at our waste in this way, we can see just how big of a “mess” it’s possible for us to make. Imagine what these photos might look like if we showed a year’s or even a month’s time! The “bed we lie in” would be astounding and enormous!

If you’re looking for ways to reduce the waste you throw away, consider your use of packaged foods and figure out ways to recycle rather than throw away things as often as possible. Together, we can reduce this growing communal trash heap by so much, given we make the better, greener choice every time we have the option! What do you do to reduce your trash pile every week? Be sure to share your own tips in the comments!

Images source: Gregg Segal