Tourists have been traveling to see architecture since the discovery of the Great Pyramids, but recent years have seen a big increase in the number of lovers of structures who travel. Looking to get in on the action, many national and international cities have been commissioning bridges, concert halls, and anything else that can capture both the eye and imagination.

Below are top spots to see the best of both the past and future. The top 50 travel spots for architecture buffs are full of sights for those who want to hop a plane, or even take a road trip, to view them in person.

Top American Travel Spots For Architecture Buffs

You don’t have to leave any of the 50 states to see these architectural wonders.

1. San Francisco : See the Golden Gate bridge, China Town, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more all in one city. This article includes restaurant and hotel reviews, along with San Francisco for kids. There is also information on walking tours and the city in a day. A must see sight for architecture buffs includes The Painted Ladies, an ornately decorated Victorian home.

2. Boston : Although the capital of the United States contains many historical landmarks, this city contains impressive architectural appeal. Buildings from the colonial era still remain, including the Old North Church and Old State House, where the Declaration of Independence was born. Other architectural goodies include the John Hancock Tower and Quincy Market. This article from “The Boston Herald” shows how to enjoy the city at half price.

3. New York : With museums, bridges, churches, and more, New York is one of the most recognized cities in the world. Building styles include everything from art deco, to the most recent in American architecture. You can also see lesser known synagogues, clubs, theatres, and more. A must visit for any architecture buff or lover of travel.

4. Chicago : Architecture buffs with a special love of skyscrapers will enjoy this city. From the well known Sears Tower to the lesser known 311 South Whacker Drive, a trip to the top of these buildings can show you four states all at once. Famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright has various buildings throughout the city which are open to the public. The local paper also has tips on where to shoot your photos, take a happy hour on the water, and more.

5. Los Angeles : Buildings such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Getty museum are a must visit for architecture buffs. The city also boasts historical Hollywood buildings such as the Roosevelt Hotel and Mann’s Chinese Theater. Other architectural achievements include churches, galleries, neighborhoods, and more.

6. Portland : Lovers of green architecture will enjoy this city. Portland architects design their buildings to blend in with their surroundings, making for a distinctive visit. There are also many municipal fountains worth viewing, along with the Pioneer Courthouse Square and other destinations.

7. Seattle : Come for the Space Needle, stay for the architecture. The Seattle Architecture Foundation takes great pride in showing visitors the artistic side of the city. Various tours include Architecture 101, Art Deco, Gay Pioneer Square, and many more. Don’t forget to have a look at the gigantic glass public library.

8. Philadelphia : Another city with a historic past, Philadelphia has options for architecture buffs who enjoy both past and present works. Famous homes include those of Walt Whitman and Betsy Ross. The local paper has more resources for visiting the city and planning your trip.

9. Las Vegas : Not just a hot spot for parties and gambling, this Nevadan city also has options for the architecturally minded. AskMen.com lists the top five design destination including the Crystals, El Cortez, and Beijing Noodle. The number one spot? The Veer Towers combines unbelievable design to create a work of wonder.

Top European Spots For Architecture Buffs

From the ancient to the modern, this continent is full of delights for architecture buffs, along with buffs of history, shopping, travel, and more.

10. Barcelona : The variety of Roman, Gothic, Baroque, Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture is worth a visit alone to this Spanish city. Famous architect Antoni Gaudi designed many of the whimsical buildings in the city and even left an unfinished masterpiece. Can’t miss architectural stops include Casa Batlio and Sant Pau del Camp cathedral.

11. Vatican City : Located in Italy, this small city/country is home to some of the most ancient and well known churches in the world. From St. Peter’s Basilica to Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel, pictures alone cannot do justice to architecture buffs. This site lists many well known and lesser known structures. They include architect and date of construction, some of which pre-date the birth of Christ.

12. Rome : As long as your in Vatican City, take a tour of the surrounding Italian city. Best known for The Colosseum, there is far more to see. Fountains, churches, palaces, monuments, aqueducts, and more can occupy any number of days. This site has photos and information on some of the more lesser known Roman structures.

13. London : From Big Ben to London Bridge, architecture buffs will find much to enjoy in this city. There are also many historic houses, Buckingham palace, squares, and much more. A must see site includes 30 St. Mary Axe, the 46 story building of the Swiss Reinsurance Company designed by architect Norman Foster.

14. Paris : With sites like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, this city is well known for its architecture. Palaces, churches, and even apartment buildings can keep architecture buffs occupied for days. The site also has information on parks, restaurants, and more.

15. Berlin : With buildings dating back to the Dark Ages, there is a variety of architectural wonders in this German city. In addition to the Reichstag and remains of the Berlin wall, there is much to see. This site contains the building, architect, and year built.

16. Amsterdam : Visit here for modern architecture developed organically within historic buildings. The city is probably best known architecturally for its Canal Rings Houses. There are also works by H. P. Berlage, the “father of modern Dutch architecture.”

17. Prague : Known as the city of golden spires, it is the capital of the Czech Republic. Must visits include Hradcany, or Prague Castle, which spans 570 meters. Other must see destinations include Charles Bridge, The Astronomical Clock, and Old Prague City Hall.

Top Asian Travel Spots for Architecture Buffs

Visit architectural wonders that are still in progress or hundreds of years old on the largest continent.

18. Dubai : Located in the United Arab Emirates, this small country and city have come a long way from twenty years ago. Most famous for its indoor ski mountain in the middle of the dessert and sailboat hotel, there are many more treats for architecture buffs. With both historical sites like Bastakiya Quarters and the Grand Mosque to newer, grander structures, the past and future combine in one city.

19. Beijing : The Olympic stadium we all saw during the summer games is not the only architectural reason to visit this city. The recently constructed headquarters for China state television has to be seen to be believed. It is 230 meters high and contains no right angles. If older architecture is your thing, there is no shortage of palaces and temples to keep any buff occupied. If you’re still not convinced, the Great Wall and Forbidden City can push any lover of architecture over the top.

20. Istanbul : See both Christian and Muslim architecture influences in this Turkish city. The Hagia Sophia was constructed in the 6th century and was the largest church of its time. You can also visit the Topkapi Palace, the Istanbul Pavilion, and even a glass and steel box tucked inside a masonry.

21. Hong Kong : Named best skyline by Diserio.com, this city has 43 buildings measuring over 200 meters tall. Even the airport itself is an architectural marvel. If the contemporary buildings aren’t enough, try checking out the older buildings such as the Legislative Council Building and Fringe Club.

22. Chandigarh : This is one of the most significant urban planning experiments of the 20th century. Le Corbusier, a French architect-planner, designed this Indian city to be the first planned city of its kind. Everything from roads to bodies of water are planned. A must see for architect buffs of this nature.

23. Tokyo : Paper walls, ancient gardens, and more highlight this as one of the most architecturally unique destinations in the world. Popular visits include the Omotesando Building, Tokyo Tower, and Sky Tree. The city is also a must visit for technology buffs.

24. Singapore : Visit here for a blend of both Asian and British architecture. Must sees include the Singapore Land Tower, Temasek Tower, and DBS Building. This site has more on what to see and where to stay.

25. Kuala Lumpur : Best known for the Petronas Towers, this city has won various architectural awards. Styles include colonial, Asian, Malay, Islamic, and contemporary. Recommended visits on this site include KTM Headquarters, the Memorial Library, and Railway Station.

26. Agra : See the Taj Mahal up close and personal in this city. The structure includes the main gateway, garden, mosque, guest house, and mausoleum. The city also contains the styles of Gothic, Victorian, and Art Deco.

27. Israel : From Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, you will find many historic pieces of architecture. There are also many modern buildings to see. This article examines the architecture of Israel as it has developed over the last 50 years.

Top South American Travel Spots for Architecture Buffs

Cross the equator to get a first hand look at these architectural achievements.

28. Buenos Aires : Get architectural influences from Italian, French, and Spanish designs all in one city. For the best in residential architecture visit the Southern streets of La Boca, San Telmo, and Montserrat. Other must see sites include the Theatro Colon and Casa Rosada, where Eva Perron gave her famous speech.

29. Brasilia : Another planned city, this one is located in Brazil. Architect Oscar Niemeyer took on the task of designing and planning a huge majority of the buildings for a city meant to contain 500,000 inhabitants. His projects range from a tiny roadside shrine to an apartment building designed for 5,700 families.

30. Peru : From the capital of Lima to the historic temples, Peru contains some of the most recognizable architecture of South America. Must see destinations include Machu Picchu’s Temple of the Sun for its design in stone masonry and stunning views. Other destinations include colonial Lima, Cusco’s Inca Masonry, and others.

31. Rio de Janeiro : This Brazilian city is best known for it’s enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer. It is also famous for destinations such as Ipanema and Copacabana. Lesser known architectural achievements include the Museu de Arte Contemporanea and the Nova Catedral Metropolitana.

32. Santiago : The capital of Chile, architecture buffs will enjoy this city. Popular stops include the Red House and Palace of the Mint. There are also parks, museums, and restaurants that boast impressive designs.

33. Cusco : Located in Peru, this city boasts several different architectural styles. They include Pirka, Cell, Enchased, Sedimentary, and Cyclopean. Essential stops include Palace of the Incas, the Temple of the Sun and of the Sun Virgins, and Santo Domingo Cathedral.

34. Sao Paulo : If you are an architect buff who enjoys a large population, this is the city for you. With over 18 million inhabitants, this city is best known for its skyscrapers. There are also many works by architect Prédio Martinelli.

35. Bogota : This Colombian city is a mix of civil, religious, and domestic architecture. Churches and theaters highlight the architectural achievements of the city. This article contains tons more on the styles.

Top African Travel Spots For Architecture Buffs

Often called the “cradle of life,” the continent also has stops for the architecture buff.

36. Egypt : Visit here for some of the most prominent and ancient architectural structures. From the Sphinx to the Pyramids of Gaza, there is much to see and do. The modern city of Cairo also has architectural wonders.

37. Casablanca : Most famous for its starring role in a movie of the same name, this city is located in Morocco. A variety of styles combine in this historic, quaint setting. Must sees include the Habous Quarter, Hassan II Mosque, and Place des mers-Sultan.

38. Johannesburg : Visit this South African city for a unique architecture experience. Travel to the top of the Carlton Centre to get a view of it all. Or take a look at the Nelson Mandela bridge, museums, or other attractions.

39. Cape Town : The second largest city in South Africa, it is the most popular tourist destination in the continent. Climb one of the many mountains to get a view of the entire City Bowl. Popular destinations include the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and the Two Oceans Aquarium.

40. Marrakech : In this Moroccan city, you can find thousand year old buildings, as well as modern structures. It also contains both scenic mosques and synagogues. This article has more on what to see and do while you’re there.

Top Miscellaneous Travel Spots For Architecture Buffs

Didn’t see what you wanted to visit above? Then take a look at the below top spots for architecture lovers.

41. Sydney : Come for the Opera House, stay for a host of Australian architectural marvels here. It contains both historical and modern feasts for the architecture buff. Darling Harbour, The Rocks, bridges, museums, and much more will highlight your trip.

42. Mexico City : Previously the Aztec capital, the city is now capital of the country and one of the most populous in the world. Architecture buffs will enjoy the Zocalo, Palacio Nacional, and even the home where Frida Kahlo lived and worked. If the above isn’t enough for you, take a trip a few miles outside of the city to the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan.

43. Ottawa : Didn’t think you could find prominent Gothic architecture in North America? Then visit this Canadian city for the Parliament Buildings, St. Michael’s Cathedral, and more done in the style. Archiseek also has other architectural information on other buildings in the city.

44. Montreal : Get a healthy dose of French architecture by visiting Quebec’s capital. From the old buildings in downtown to the more modern in uptown, there is much to see. The Travel Channel gives this complete weekend guide to visiting Montreal.

45. Chichen Itza : Visit one of the few remaining structures of the Mayan empire by stopping here. Located in the Yucutan peninsula of Mexico, structures include The Temple of the Warriors, The Nunnery, and even The Ball Court where a soccer-like game was played. An added bonus is the numerous majestic beaches that are a drive away.

46. Auckland : Located in New Zealand, this city is ideal for architecture buffs who enjoy a little adventure. Climb the Harbour Bridge, play a sport in Eden Park, or visit any other number of attractions. There are also historic Maori settlements and Howick Historical Village. Simply click on a landmark to get more information.

47. Melbourne : Through aggressive measures to keep and restore historic buildings, Melbourne has preserved much of its architecture. Notable buildings include the Royal Exhibition Building and Federation Square. This site has much more, along with recommendations and more information.

48. Puerto Rico : Located just South of the United States, you don’t need a passport to go there. Be sure to check out the capital, San Juan, for many historic Spanish architecture. There are also fortresses, churches, and more.

49. Arabah : The Petra monument of this ancient Jordanian city dates back to the B.C. period. It was used for all sorts of trade in the Arabic kingdom, and since it is made of rock, is still distinguishable to this day. The nearby city of Amman also has interesting architectural structures.

50. The Philippines : Stop here for architecture influenced by the Spanish Colonial period. There are also touches of Japanese, Malay, Hindu, Chinese, and even American structures in the area. Highlights include Fort Santiago and Paco Park, along with many churches and lighthouses.

No matter where you travel, make sure you are prepared before checking out any of the top 50 travel spots for architecture buffs. Visit the U.S. Department of State to get information on travel warnings, local laws, and more.

In 2006, writer and cartoonist Chris Onstadt launched a number of character blogs as a means of promoting his popular observational – and frequently absurdist – internet-based comic Achewood. One such account revolved around “trashspotting,” a simultaneously intellectual and recreational activity devoted to meandering the streets of a city and carefully noting all the litter, garbage, and other detritus discovered along the way. Using one of his creations as a conduit for his philosophies, Onstadt encouraged others to take up the hobby as well, believing in the old academic principle that it is possible to form a multitude of ideas about a culture based on what it considers disposable and any patterns regarding the sort of goods it regularly consumes. Clubs sprung up worldwide in response to the clarion call, with many individuals eager to act as “archaeologists of the present.” But, tragically, the enthusiasm for such an intriguing pastime fizzled away almost as quickly as it came into being, leaving behind it an ironic (perhaps intentional?) wake of abandoned blogs and broken image links.

Now, it is possible to peruse the internet and peer into the fads that spring up and die out with the same curious sociological eye as the original trashspotters – ideas considered almost as temporary as aluminum cans and plastic bags. Few of the original blogs remain, with the majority of the initial collective now reduced to series of frustrating 404 messages. However, many other blogs which either predate or find little to no inspiration in Onstadt’s mini-movement still echo the same spirit of how humanity interacts with and perceives its garbage. These have been included as a means of underlying the psychological and sociological principles behind consumerism, consumption, and aesthetics all over the world which initially charged enthusiastic trashspotters. Rather than wandering through neighborhoods and streets to forge perceptions, readers can explore digital spaces and make observations on the observers themselves.

1. Budapest Trashspotting Club

With two months’ worth of archives, the Budapest Trashspotting Club remains one of the more active blogs on the official roster. Amazingly detailed descriptions of the jugs, cans, and bottles in the streets of Hungary’s capital city characterize what few posts popped up between April and May of 2006. Even though the blog itself only hosted 3 updates in total, patterns already began unveiling themselves before its abrupt end. For 2 consecutive nights, members of the collective discovered several massive bags of rolls in public trash receptacles. They found themselves boggling over the situation, as the rolls in question did not appear tainted by mold – nor were they characteristic of any nearby bakery or pastry shop. Their humorous conjectures as to the origin of the discarded food make for an amusing, imaginative highlight. Other discoveries include the alcoholic remnants of a party and the vivid description of an apartment building’s teeming dumpsters. Though a veritable flash when it comes to longevity in blogging, the Budapest Trashspotting Club stokes creativity and provides an intelligent glimpse into the possible stories behind seemingly menial garbage.

2. Emeril LeGoinegasque

Onstadt’s original trashspotting manifesto, presented through the perspective of one of his characters. He shares his travels and photographs at least once, poking through neighborhood recycling bins rather than the usual urban streets. However, the blog’s initial influence lay not in its observations and depictions of California curbsides, but rather in the charmingly specific, intelligent, and thorough manifesto detailing the ins and outs of trashspotting. When stripped of elements such as the fictitious “Master Council” and instructions on how to refer to certain members, at its core the philosophies behind trashspotting promote community creativity and a better understanding of society and its attitudes towards disposables. Adherents to the code nurture their imaginations, working together as a cohesive group to form conclusions both plausible and fanciful behind the tangible realities they discover. At one point, the main hub united all clubs across the world with a common vision, a logo, and even a forum where participants could talk about their findings with one another. Now sadly defunct, one wonders what sort of inventiveness surged through the discussion boards and whether or not any universals began revealing themselves slowly as members began to share their experiences and observations.

3. Portland, Oregon Trashspotting Club

As with its contemporaries, the Portland, Oregon Trashspotting Club sprang forth from Onstadt’s conjectures and almost immediately collapsed in upon itself. Its final message expresses hope for a plumped-up community, sadly reflecting the eventual petering off of the genuinely intriguing fancy. Descriptions of the nicely detailed photographs are brief, offering only one possibility for each scene. However, the limited comments do add a small shot of imagination. Easily the most intriguing sight involves a dumpster at a construction site, housing little more than a couple of bricks, a damaged saw, and dingy black garbage bag. Overall content is thin, but helpfully underscores the discussions on other affiliated blogs – helping those chronicling the actions of the chroniclers find national or international commonalities in consumption.

4. Trashspotting San Diego

Another fascinating non-starter, Trashspotting San Diego held a pause as it waited for instructions from Onstadt’s fictional avatar. One revealing post indicated that this particular chapter waited with earnest anticipation for more official regulations and swag to publicly declare an adherence to the trashspotting manifesto, such as apparel and mugs. If the San Diego discipleship ever ventured into the neighborhoods or shopping centers on an educational tour of their city’s attitudes towards consumables, no evidence exists on this particular blog. However, they do offer a very enlightening peek into what drew them towards pursuing and prompting trashspotting as a potentially insightful hobby. The final post succinctly looks at mankind’s fascination with disposables before Onstadt infuse their ideals into his works. Some enjoy finding unexpected trash in equally unexpected places. Others enjoy exercising their imagination to conceive vivid and creative stories behind how certain bits of detritus ended up exactly where they found it. And even more enjoy thinking of ways to utilize their findings into works of art. It would not be beyond the realm of logic to see all of these as motivations behind why so many found the concepts behind trashspotting so attractive.

5. The View Through Waste

Sociologists and archaeologists alike are capable of drawing certain conjectures regarding certain civilizations by intently studying the ancient trash pits of long-dead peoples. The View Through Waste, once operated by the same individuals responsible for Budapest Trashspotting Club, looks at both the history and present of society’s perceptions of and interactions with its garbage. Though another briefly burning spark, it provides an academic perspective to not only the quickly fading internet phenomenon, but dumpster diving and how modern artists utilize disposables in their creations. The owner presents works of political science, journal articles, videos, personal travels, Wikipedia entries, and other venues of information to present his opinions on the myriad ways in which people look at their trash. It intellectualizes the mundane, peeling back the negative implications to reveal the educational and aesthetic possibilities behind what gets thrown away. Postings perfectly encapsulate the very same ideals that Onstadt sought to promote when he conceived of trashspotting as a worthwhile pastime.

6. Trashspotting Brisbane

Aside from the obligatory introduction and veritable homage to Onstadt’s original blog, Trashspotting Brisbane only managed to organize one outing to catch a glimpse of Australia’s consumer behaviors. If they happened to make any other forays, they never chronicled them through this blog. Their sole contribution contains no photographs, brief descriptions, and hasty conclusions regarding underage liquor consumption, toga partying, and the visceral presence of a bloated, raw, and shocking-looking chicken residing whole in a pizza backs. Many of the comparisons between Brisbane and other “Western” nations reveal more commonalities than differences. Emptied liquor bottles and cans crop up consistently on the few remaining blogs from the original trashspotting collective, as do food products. This could say any number of things about heavily consumerist First World nations.

7. Trashspotting in Auburn, AL

As Onstadt himself points out in this blog’s comments section, the trashspotting chapter located in Auburn, Alabama blends the dirty discipline of dumpster diving into its practices. One of the most frustrating, yet absolutely fascinating aspects of this particular blog involves the fact that every photo has been suspended due to the user’s 90 day inactivity on the hosting site. Descriptions and comments line up directly with what was once available, forcing readers to forge images internally. Normally, this makes for an agonizing visit, but within the spirit and context of trashspotting makes for a particularly valuable piece of the puzzle. Here, both the images and the blog themselves are treated with the same attitude as the garbage once so lovingly chronicled. They are tossed aside as digital refuse – lost and forgotten with only those devoted to understanding how they operated from a sociological perspective still fascinated by and finding the beauty in what they had to say. A bittersweet irony, yes, but a necessary one that almost fully parallels the original writers’ intentions.

8. 365 Days of Trash

Although not explicitly a trashspotting blog, 365 Days of Trash offers an essential glimpse into the various ways in which individuals treat consumption and consumerism – one of the many objectives that Onstadt’s original manifesto sought to thoroughly explore. For one full year, filmmaker and writer Dave Chameides kept all of his garbage and recyclables in his basement. He painstakingly recorded every bit of rubbish that found itself underneath his house, composting the food waste to prevent unpleasant odors wafting up to other floors. While a certainly extreme measure, it opened up his eyes to how people waste more with the knowledge that their garbage ships off elsewhere, beyond the borders of their property. As his basement burst at the seams with his leavings, Chameides found ways to reuse many of the products, most especially packaging and reduce his potentially negative impact on the environment. Although the project has officially ended, he still posts numerous resources regarding curbing waste and needless consumption on a regular basis.

9. Local Man Spots Trash

Blogger Allan B. Tross recounts the stories and activities of an elderly gentleman named Daniel Webster who occasionally pops into the Salvation Army soup kitchen where he works. Local Man Spots Trash does display the official trashspotting insignia, though it takes a far more different approach to the subject matter than the others. Taking place in an anonymous Canadian town, Tross eloquently recounts Webster’s adventures in seeking out beer cans to deposit for money. Not only does this reinforce the old adage that one man’s trash is another’s treasure and underscore many of the accompanying sociological implications, it also shows the disparity in priorities and perceptions between those living in a comfortable socioeconomic bracket and those living without. However few the stories, these accounts of creative nonfiction provide a unique perspective on the fleeting sport of trashspotting.

10. everydaytrash.com

everydaytrash.com closely examines garbage on a global scale. From Brooklyn to Addis Ababa, journalists Leila Darabi and Victor Bernhardtz analyze art, politics, and the ways in which they intersect with perceptions of trash, consumerism, and consumption all over the world. They showcase documentaries, discuss relevant news articles, and share beloved pieces of both functional and decorative artwork crafted out of recycled or re-appropriated materials. Intelligent and insightful, the both of them offer up fascinating ideas as to what trash says about individuals, nations, and the whole of human society. Both Darabi and Bernhardtz draw from their journalistic backgrounds and frequently post interesting statistics and analyses about anything and everything related to garbage, along with their own well-informed commentary.

11. Discardia

Discardia was created as an alternative holiday rejecting overconsumption and promoting the sloughing off of outdated ideas and items. However, they do not advocate just dumping out the old to replace with the new – rather, they suggest finding more creative or socially conscious methods of cutting out the physical clutter. Numerous tips about cleaning up spaces and lives abound, alongside links to and information on several charities who will happily accept donations. The site itself ceased updates as of 2005, but continues on with the announcement of a Discardia Twitter account and upcoming book. Though not relating to the sociology or psychology behind garbage and consumption, the site is valuable in that it looks at trash from the other side – minimizing the creation of more and learning how to redistribute apparel, toys, and other recyclables in order to prevent needless clutter.

12. Nico Van Hoorn

Netherlands-based artist Nico Van Hoorn specializes in photographing garbage as a multifaceted aesthetic, social, environmental, and political message. On his main site, he offers an extensive photo essay titled Crime Scene. Littering is considered a legal offense in The Netherlands, and Van Hoorn documents all instances he comes across with a camera and roll of yellow crime scene tape. Feeling as if the images speak for themselves, he does not bother to add any descriptions or explanations. This helps to pique the imaginations of those viewing his striking pieces, forcing them to think of how a shopping cart ended up overturned in a lush green forest setting or a beige computer monitor found itself amongst wet, rotting leaves. Van Hoorn also brought home and scanned one piece of trash he discovered on the street between May 5, 2002 and May 4, 2005 at TRASHLOG. It speaks volumes of humanity seeing that he was able to find at least mostly flattened, 10 cm by 15 cm or smaller piece of garbage to catalogue a day during an hour and a half walk.

13. Last Night’s Garbage

Though unaffiliated with Onstadt’s trashspotting manifesto, Last Night’s Garbage carries on the same spirit years after the other blogs rose and fell. Every photograph comes straight to viewers from New York City, accompanied not by commentary, but rather excerpts and links to relevant articles, fun facts, or interesting research. Their juxtaposition of information and street photography makes for a striking comparison of what society deems useful and how it comes to decide an object or idea is absolutely useless. Some of the discards are sadly unsalvageable for human use, such as the mattress smeared with feces. Others, like shoes, hubcaps, books, and stuffed animals could have easily found another life in a shelter or an art project. And many more belong in recycling bins – not the gutters.

14. The Story of Stuff Project

The Story of Stuff Project incorporates not only a blog, but a documentary, social justice activism resource, and environmental campaign as well. Both the blog and the site overflow with information pertaining to how pollutants, overconsumption, and other hazards grow to negatively impact local, national, and international communities. Think of it as trashspotting on a grander scale, as it looks at everything from litter to chemical plants from a social and health perspective. Be sure to explore everything the site has to offer beyond the blog in order to gain a broad understanding of how trash and other waste comes into being and the ways it multiples to affect those around it.

15. The Visible Trash Society

A collective of enthusiastic artists, these intrepid trashspotters stretch the hobby to one of its many logical conclusions. Not only do they make note of the environmental and social implications of certain disposables, but they also rescue some of their findings for use in works of visual art. While much of the input does revolve around themes of environmentalism, the green movement, sustainability, overconsumption, and consumerism, many of the assemblages actually reflect a wide variety of subjective elements. All the involved creators pull double duty as artists and activists, using their keen observations and inspired spirits to explore the whys of throwing things away as well as the why nots on how to re-appropriate them for a myriad of other uses.

Regardless of whether or not they claim any affiliation or inspiration with Chris Onstadt’s brief, bright internet mini-movement of trashspotting, all of these blogs unite in one common interest. Considered mundane and undesirable by most, trash actually holds with it considerable academic interest. There is much to learn about a society’s priorities, preferences, and philosophies by inspecting what they consider disposable – a technique utilized by both archaeologists and sociologists. But curious parties outside these disciplines are still perfectly capable of forging ahead on their own excavations, learning more about their communities in the process and challenging their imaginations to figure out stories for the more unorthodox finds.