You probably think you’re pretty eco-friendly, right? Well, one woman has made the “green” lifestyle a way of life. And now, she’s planning an international voyage based on trash collection.
Back on June 20th, Alaska native Karen Hawes, 40, took off from Prudhoe Bay for a 10-month trip to Argentina. Along the way, she plans on closely scoping out as many salvage yards, Dumpsters, trash pits and landfills as possible along the way. So far, Hawes and her Honda Element have made stops in Dawson City and Fairbanks. She hopes to complete her journey by spring 2010.
Hawes realizes that trash and waste locations may seem like a strange vacation. But she admits that she’s very excited about her trip. “It’s more personal curiosity than anything,” she said. “I enjoy meeting people too, so this fills that need.”
Above all else, the eco-adventurer hopes to gain a better understanding of the connection between people and the trash they discard. She views her trip as an “objective ‘observe and report’ approach to junk,” as well as a cultural snapshot.
Actually, this is nothing new for Hawes. After leaving her engineering job with Lockheed Martin in 2005, she’s lived a minimalist existence. But this trash-filled trip has given her new focus, and many fans. Throughout the journey, Hawes is documenting her sightings on her website, www.trashtrip.com. Here, you’ll find a growing collection of podcasts, photos and various blog entries.
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