HISTORY This Week New York Takes Out the Trash
Nov 18, 2024
In this discussion, Robin Nagle, an anthropologist with the NYC Department of Sanitation and a clinical professor at NYU, dives deep into New York City's long history with its notorious rat population. She highlights the city's shift to containerization in waste management as a key strategy to tackle urban cleanliness and rat control. Nagle also reflects on the evolution of sanitation practices, from colonial times to modern reforms, showcasing the pivotal role of socio-economic factors and innovative leaders in shaping New York's sanitation landscape.
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Early Waste Disposal in New Amsterdam
- Early New Amsterdam designated 5 waterfront locations for trash disposal.
- These locations, situated in tidal estuaries, proved ineffective, leading to garbage circulating endlessly.
Informal Waste Management
- Pigs and rats were common in New York City, acting as informal waste management.
- While pigs scavenged, the exact time when rats appeared in the city remains unclear, possibly in the 18th century.
Yellow Fever and Sanitation
- Yellow fever outbreaks highlighted the link between sanitation and public health in early New York.
- Codwallader Colden's observation led to improved sanitation practices, effectively mitigating disease impact.
