Rubbish Dump Collection

Refugee families near Holtville, California, 1937. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Refugee families near Holtville, California

Garbage disposal, Brawley, Imperial Valley, California, 1935. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Garbage disposal. Brawley, Imperial Valley, California

No garbage disposal, Brawley, Imperial Valley, California, 1935. Creator: Dorothea Lange
No garbage disposal. Brawley, Imperial Valley, California

Refugee families encamped near Holtville, California, 1937. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Refugee families encamped near Holtville, California

Housing for migratory cotton field laborers near Casa Grande, Arizona, 1937. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Housing for migratory cotton field laborers near Casa Grande, Arizona

Meadow brown butterfly, Maniola jurtina, wood lady or orange tip, Anthocharis cardamines, and grizzled skipper, Pyrgus alveolus

Junkyard, Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine, France, Europe

The poor of Berlin rummaging in refuse heaps, Germany, c1914-c1918. About 750, 000 German civilians died from starvation as a result of the British naval blockade of Germany during World War I

White Stork and Steppe eagles on rubbish dump, Ciconia ciconia, Oman

Black Kites Milvus migrans at Ghazipur rubbish fump one of the largest dumps on earth that attracts in excess of 150, 000 Black Kites to scavenge Delhi India

Sorting a dust heap at a County Council Depot, London, c1850 (1903). Dust-yards were privately run waste sorting centres, sifting and sorting varying grades of rubbish

Public Waste Dump, Quai de la Gare, 1915. Artist: Auguste Lepere
Public Waste Dump, Quai de la Gare, 1915. From Paris Past and Present. [London Offices of the Studio, London, 1915]

An old rubbish tip on Walney Island in Cumbria where the methane escaping from the decomposing rubbish is being
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Gulls feeding on a rubbish tip in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, UK
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Tin cans discarded in the mountains of the Sinai desert near Dahab in Egypt. Temperatures have already risen by 0
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Rubbish discarded in the mountains of the Sinai desert near Dahab in Egypt. Temperatures have already risen by 0
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Plastic bottles and assorted rubbish dumped in the Red Sea resort of Dahab in Egypt
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Rubbish dumped on the tundra outside Illulissat in Greenland with icebergs behind from the Sermeq Kujullaq or
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Polar bear at the dump, Ursus maritimus, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, North America

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"From Junkyards to Ghazipur: Exploring Rubbish Dumps Across Europe and Beyond" Journey with us as we delve into the world of rubbish dumps, where discarded items find new purpose and unexpected beauty emerges. Our first stop takes us to Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine in France, where a junkyard stands as a testament to forgotten treasures waiting to be discovered. Next, we travel back in time to Germany during the early 20th century. Witness the resilience of the poor in Berlin as they rummage through refuse heaps for survival amidst challenging times. In London, circa 1850-1903, we uncover a scene at a County Council Depot where dedicated workers sort through mountains of waste. Their efforts highlight the importance of responsible waste management even in bygone eras. The artistic touch comes alive on Quai de la Gare in 1915 when Auguste Lepere captures the essence of a public waste dump through his brushstrokes. His artwork reminds us that even mundane scenes can hold profound meaning and evoke emotions. Venturing further eastward, we arrive at Ghazipur rubbish dump – one of Earth's largest dumps – teeming with life against all odds. Black Kites Milvus migrans gracefully soar above this vast expanse, finding sustenance amidst chaos and reminding us that nature always finds its way. Not only kites but also White Storks and Steppe Eagles make their presence known on an Oman rubbish dump. These majestic birds demonstrate adaptability while showcasing how even seemingly desolate places can become havens for unique wildlife encounters. As our journey concludes, let these glimpses into rubbish dumps across continents serve as reminders that there is more than meets the eye within these seemingly forsaken spaces. From historical significance to ecological wonders, these sites offer insights into human resilience and nature's ability to thrive against adversity.