Trash Talk: Zines, Waste Systems, and Environmental Justice in Seattle
Most people don’t think about where their trash goes—or who’s impacted by the systems that manage it. But waste is not just a technical problem; it’s tied to environmental justice, where frontline communities often bear the burden of pollution without having a say in how systems are designed. This project explores how zines—small, self-published booklets—can help translate research on local waste management into accessible and emotionally resonant storytelling. As an intern at the Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement (CoSEE), I researched waste policies in Seattle and King County, synthesized academic and municipal sources, and created an environmental education zine titled Boricua Resilience. I collaborated with artists, educators, and scientists to blend storytelling with environmental research, emphasizing the intersections of colonialism, disaster recovery, and creative resistance in Puerto Rico. The resulting zine engaged broader audiences in conversations about waste, justice, and the power of visual media. This work demonstrates that art can be an effective tool for science communication, capable of making complex systems more relatable and inclusive. It suggests that to move toward truly just sustainability transitions, we must expand our definition of environmental education to include artistic and community-led knowledge practices.
