Dave Chameides, a two-time Emmy Award winning cameraman and DGA director, was a typical individual in 2001, living a comfortable life with his wife, three cars, and a lovely home. However, his life took a drastic turn when he learned he was to become a father.
This newfound responsibility sparked an epiphany in Chameides, as he realized that his actions had a lasting impact on the world and that he needed to change his ways. He began by making environmentally conscious decisions, such as purchasing a Prius and installing solar panels.
However, Chameides soon realized that there was still much to be done. He began to investigate further and teach himself about sustainability. He eventually created a seminar, Chasing Sustainability, and began speaking to school groups, religious institutions, and businesses about the importance of sustainability.
Chameides' passion for sustainability led him to create a unique experiment. On January 1st, 2008, he stopped taking out the trash and recycling for an entire year. Instead, he kept all the waste in his basement and documented his journey on his website, 365 Days of Trash.
The experiment gained significant attention, with radio stations, TV news, and print media featuring his story. By the end of the year, his website had been visited by a quarter of a million people, and he had been featured in prominent publications such as The New York Times, Time Magazine, and CNN.
Chameides' 28.5 pounds of trash from 2008 is now a permanent exhibit at The Museum of Trash in Hartford, CT. Today, he continues to lecture to schools and speak about the importance of sustainability. His motto, "no one can do everything but everyone can do something," has inspired millions.
