Sensory labor as un/knowing in a waste composition study: Identifying a chain of translation

Abstract

To keep track of the types and proportions of waste produced in society, various waste composition studies are carried out around the world. Through ethnographic fieldwork, this article examines how statistical knowledge about waste was produced in the context of a waste composition study organized by a Finnish waste management company. We follow a chain of actions involving sensory labor to show how waste was translated into numerical knowledge. By shedding light on the sensory labor of producing knowledge on waste, we contribute to social scientific waste research, especially by illustrating how the interplay between senses and waste—as matter that can evoke strong sensations—challenges the possibilities of translating waste into numerical knowledge. We also show how these difficulties are, in turn, managed to create accurate data for the purposes of waste policies. In addition, our study contributes more widely to the public discussion on waste policies by highlighting the role of sensory labor as crucial for the operation of the circular economy.