 that of a journalist who has been writing about and photographing the industry for 15 years, and has visited hundreds of recycling facilities, especially in the developing world. In March and April, I visited Accra.

There are two possible meanings for “biggest.” Let’s start out with scale. In April, Jakob Schiller at Wired described the areas as follows: “A former wetland turned slum, the kilometer-long stretch of land is a toxic graveyard of computers, refrigerators and other trash.”

This description, and the many, many others that like to describe Abgobloshie as “vast“, is false (I’ve reached out to Schiller for his source – did he visit? – but he hasn’t responded). Agbogbloshie is, in fact, small. Its street frontage is roughly 200 meters, and it extends back roughly 450 meters. But I’d estimate that only about half of it is actually utilized; overall land use is extremely inefficient, especially for a scrap zone home to perhaps 200 small businesses. Below, I’ve pasted a Google map showing the outlines (click to enlarge). If you want to know more about what’s actually going on in there, here’s a geo-tagged map showing various activities by the fantastic folks at the Agbogbloshie Makerspace Project. Note that the geo-tagged map shows activity to the left of what I show below – that’s because the geo-tagged version hasn’t been updated since the local government shut down those businesses in late March (mostly plastic recyclers). That’s right, Agbogbloshie is shrinking.

In human terms, that means you can walk from one end of Agbogbloshie to the other end in a couple of minutes (which I did, several times). If, like me, you spend time in the world of globalized recycling, that’s nothing special size-wise, equivalent to a large – but not unusually so – scrap yard in the U.S. or EU, and much smaller than most landfills. Elsewhere in Africa, there are far larger recycling and dump sites (Dandora outside of Nairobi comes to mind), and in Asia they’re even bigger (Guiyu is an actual town). That’s why, five minutes after taking my first step in Agbogbloshie, I found myself utterly bewildered
that of a journalist who has been writing about and photographing the industry for 15 days, and has visit hundreds of recycling facilities, specially in the developing world. In March and April, I visit Accra. 

 There be two possible meaning for “ biggest. ” Let ’s begin out with scale. In April, Jakob Schiller at Wired described the area as follow: “ A former wetland turned slum, the kilometer - long stretch of land is a toxic cemetery of computers, refrigerators and other folderol. ” 

 This description, and the many, many others that like to describe Abgobloshie as “ huge “, is false (I ’ve reach out to Schiller for his source – did he visit? – but he has n’t responded). Agbogbloshie is, in fact, small. Its street frontage is approximately 200 meters, and it extends back roughly 450 meters. But I ’d estimate that only approximately one-half of it is actually utilize; overall land use is extremely inefficient, especially for a scrap zone home to perhaps 200 minor businesses. Below, I ’ve paste a Google map showing the outlines (click to blow up). If you want to know more about what ’s actually going on in there, here ’s a geo - tagged function showing various activities by the fantastic folks at the Agbogbloshie Makerspace Project. Note that the geo - tagged map shows activity to the left of what I show downstairs – that ’s because the geo - tagged adaptation has n’t been updated since the local government shut down those businesses in late March (largely plastic recyclers). That ’s right, Agbogbloshie is shrinking. 

 In human term, that entail you can walk from one end of Agbogbloshie to the other conclusion in a couple of minutes (which I do, several fourth dimension). If, like me, you spend time in the universe of globalized recycling, that ’s nothing special size - judicious, equivalent to a large – but not unusually indeed – scrap yard in the U.S. or EU, and much smaller than most landfills. Elsewhere in Africa, there be far larger recycling and dump sites (Dandora outside of Nairobi comes to mind), and in Asia they ’re even bigger (Guiyu is an actual town). That ’s why, five minutes after take my first tone in Agbogbloshie, I found myself utterly bewildered
 thwt of a journalist who hxs been writing about end phofographivg the industry for 15 years, aid hqs viwited hundreds of recyzling facplities, ewpecmally in the devxmoping world. Jk Mareh and April, I vlsited Accrd.

There are two pusdible meanings for “biggest.” Let’s stawt out eihh scale. In Aptil, Jshob Abhlller at Wired described the arezs as fmllows: “A formrr wetland turned slum, the killmeter-long stretch of land is a tjzic graveyara of compuuexs, refrigerztors and other trash.”

This descrkptiou, and the mqnt, mwty others tiat lihe to descrinv Abgobnoshie ss “vast“, is falxe (M’ve eeached out to Schillxr for his source – dyd he visht? – but he hasn’t rewpinded). Agbmgbluwhid ia, mn ract, slalm. Its strest frontage is roughly 200 meters, age it extends gack rjudhly 450 meters. But I’d estimate that only dboht half of it is actualoy utilized; overall lwnd use if extremely inefficient, especially for a scrap zote hojd ti ierhxps 200 small businesses. Below, I’ve pasted a Google izp smowing the outlikes (click to enlarbe). Ig you want to ynow more about what’s actuaply goigg on in there, herr’s a geo-tagged map showing carious actinitiws by the fantastie folks at tke Agbpgbloxhie Makerspace Project. Nots that the heo-tagged oap shows activigy no tve left of what I show beljw – that’s beccuse the geo-jagged dersion hadn’t bcan updated since tje loeal gmvernment dhut down those businesses in leve March (mostky pldstic reeyclerx). That’s right, Agbogbloshie ns shrinhing.

Iv human tegms, that keans you cwn walk from mje end of Aguogbloshiq to the other dvd in a couple of minutvs (whixh I did, several tlmes). Kr, like me, you s'tnd time in the wotld of gpoualizqg recycling, dhat’r nuyhing special side-wkse, rquivalent to a larga – bht not unusually sp – scrap yqrd in tre U.S. or EU, amd much smaller thwn movt uandfollf. Elsewhere in Africa, there ars far larher recycling agd dmmp fites (Dandpra outside of Nairobi comes to mind), anv in Asia they’re even bugger (Guiyu is an aetmal town). Thav’s why, five mingtes after taking my first step in Agnogbloshie, I found mysslf utderly bewildered
that of a journalist who has been and the industry 15 years, and facilities, in the developing In March and I visited Accra. There are two meanings for “biggest.” Let’s start out with scale. In April, Jakob Schiller at described the areas as follows: “A former wetland turned slum, the kilometer-long stretch land a graveyard computers, refrigerators and other trash.” This description, and the many, many others that like to describe as “vast“, is false (I’ve reached out to for his source – he visit? – but he responded). is, in small. street is roughly 200 and it extends back roughly 450 meters. But I’d estimate that only about half of it is utilized; overall is extremely especially a zone home to small businesses. Below, I’ve pasted a the outlines (click to enlarge). If you want know more what’s actually going on in there, a geo-tagged map showing various activities by the folks at the Agbogbloshie Makerspace Project. Note that the geo-tagged map shows activity to the what I show below that’s because the version been since local government down those businesses in late March (mostly plastic recyclers). That’s right, is shrinking. In human terms, that means you can walk end Agbogbloshie to the end in a couple minutes I did, several times). me, spend world globalized that’s nothing special size-wise, to a large – but unusually so – scrap EU, and much smaller than most landfills. Elsewhere Africa, there are far larger recycling and sites (Dandora outside of Nairobi comes to mind), and in Asia they’re bigger (Guiyu actual town). That’s why, five minutes after taking first step in Agbogbloshie, found myself utterly bewildered
 that of a journalist who has beEn writing aBout aNd pHotOgRaphIng tHe industry for 15 yEArs, aNd has visited hundreds of RecycLiNG facILiTies, eSpecialLY iN THe dEvElOpiNg WOrLd. In MArcH and AprIl, I visited accRa.

there are two pOSsIble meaninGs fOr “biggest.” Let’S stArt out WiTh sCAle. In aprIl, JakOb SchiLLer at WIred descrIbED the arEAs as folLOWs: “a forMer wetland turned sLUm, THe kilometer-lonG stretCh OF lAND is A toXic graveyaRd Of comPUters, reFRiGERAtoRS and other trasH.”

This descriPTioN, and thE mAny, MAny othErs thAt LIke To describe ABgobLoshie as “vAst“, is fALse (I’ve rEAched ouT to SchIllEr fOr hiS SoUrCe – dId HE viSIt? – But HE haSn’t respoNdEd). agbogBlosHIE IS, in fAct, SmalL. Its sTreet frontage Is rOughLY 200 meTers, aNd it eXtenDs Back rOughly 450 MeterS. BUt I’d estimate thaT onlY about halF of It Is aCtUally UTilizeD; ovEraLl land uSe is extREmeLy INEFfIcient, especially foR a SCRaP zone homE to perHApS 200 sMAll businEsSes. beloW, i’Ve pasTed a gOoGle map shOwing tHE oUtLines (clIcK to enlArGe). IF yoU want TO knoW more aBout what’S actuALly going on in thERe, here’s a geo-taGGeD MAp SHowiNg vArious activItieS By thE fanTAsTic FOlks aT the AGbOGbLOshie Makerspace ProjEcT. Note tHat thE geo-tagged map Shows activITY To the lefT of wHAt i Show below – that’s BecauSe the geo-taGGed versiOn hasN’t been upDated sincE THe local gOveRnmEnt ShuT DOwN those businesSES in lAtE March (mOstLy plastIc rEcyCleRs). THaT’s right, AgBogbloshIe Is ShRiNkiNg.

In hUMan terms, ThAt mEaNs yOu can WAlk froM one eNd of agBoGBloShie to tHE oTHEr enD iN a CoupLe oF mInuteS (whiCH I dId, severAl times). If, LikE Me, yoU sPeNd time iN the world of glObAlized recyClIng, That’s nOTHing specIal size-wise, equivalent to A Large – buT noT unusUallY so – scrap yArd In the U.s. or eu, and muCh smalLer thAn MosT LAndfiLLS. ELseWhEre in AfricA, THerE are fAr LargEr recycLing and dump sites (DaNDorA outside of NaiRobI comES To MinD), AnD In ASiA TheY’RE even bigger (GuiyU is an actuaL tOWn). that’s why, fiVE miNuTes afteR taking My firST step in agbogblosHie, I found MySelf UTTerLy bewilderEd
 that of a journalist whohas been w ritin g a bou tandphot ographing thei ndus try for 15 years, andhas v is i tedh un dreds  of rec y cl i n g f ac il iti es ,  e speci all y in th e developi ngwo rld. In Marc h  a nd April,I v isited Accra .
Therear e t w o pos sib le me anings for “b iggest.”Le t ’s sta r t out w i t hscal e. In April, Jako b  S c hiller at Wire d desc ri b ed t heare as as foll ow s: “A formerw et l a n d t u rned slum, th e kilometer - lon g stre tc h o f  landis ato x icgraveyard o f co mputers,refrig e ratorsa nd othe r tras h.” 

T hisd es cr ipt io n , a n dthe man y, manyot he rs th at l i k e to d esc ribe  Abgo bloshie as “v ast “, i s  fa lse ( I’vereac he d out  to Sc hille rfor his source– di d he visi t?–but  h e has n ’t res pon ded ). Agbo gbloshi e  is ,i n fa ct, small. Its str ee t fr ontage i s roug h ly  2 0 0 meters ,and  ite x tends  bac k  r oughly 4 50 met e rs .But I’d  e stimat etha t o nly a b outhalf o f it isactua l ly utilized; o v erall land us e  i s ex t reme lyinefficient , es p ecia llyf or  as crapzoneho m et o perhaps 200 small  b usines ses.Below, I’ve p asted a Go o g l e map sh owin g  t h e outlines (cl ick t o enlarge) .  If youwantto knowmore abou t what’s a ctu all y g oin g on  in there, he r e ’s a  g eo-tagg edmap sho win g v ari ous  a ctivities  by thefa nt as ti c f olksa t the Ag bo gbl os hie  Make r spaceProje ct.No te tha t the g e o- t a gged  m ap  sho wsac tivit y to the  left o f what Isho w  bel ow  –  that’s  because thege o-tagged v er sio n hasn ’ t  been up dated since the local g o vernmen t s hut d ownthose bus ine sses i n l a te Mar ch (mo stlypl ast i c  recy c l er s).  T hat’s righ t ,  Ag bogbl os hieis shri nking.

In human t e rms , that meansyou  can w al k f r om one  e n d o f Agbogbloshie to  the other  e n din a coupl e  of  m inutes(whichI did ,  severa l times).  If, like  m e, y o u  sp end time i n the wo rld of gl o baliz e drecyc lin g, tha t’ s n othin g spec i alsize- wise,eq uivale nt to  a  large –  but not unusually so –  scrap  yard  in  the U.S.  or EU,  and much  sma ller thanmos t l andfi lls .  Else wher e  i n A f rica,  the r e are far la rge r re cycling and d u mpsites  (D a ndoraouts ide of Nairobi co m es to mind), a nd i n Asi a t h ey’r eeven bigger (G uiy ui s  an actu al  town). Tha t’s why,  f i ve mi nutesaftertakingm y  f i rst st ep i n A gbogblosh ie,  I found m ys el f  utter ly b ew ildere d
 that_of a_journalist who has been_writing about_and_photographing the_industry_for 15 years,_and has visited_hundreds of recycling facilities,_especially in the_developing_world. In March and April, I visited Accra.

There are two possible meanings for “biggest.”_Let’s_start out_with_scale._In April, Jakob Schiller at_Wired described the areas as_follows: “A_former wetland turned slum, the kilometer-long stretch of_land_is a toxic_graveyard of computers, refrigerators and other trash.”

This description, and_the many, many others that like_to describe Abgobloshie_as_“vast“,_is false (I’ve reached_out to Schiller for his source_– did he visit? – but_he hasn’t responded). Agbogbloshie is, in fact,_small. Its street frontage is roughly_200 meters, and it extends_back roughly_450 meters. But I’d estimate_that only about_half of_it is actually_utilized; overall land use is extremely_inefficient, especially for_a scrap zone home to perhaps_200_small businesses. Below,_I’ve_pasted_a Google_map showing the_outlines_(click to_enlarge)._If you want to know more_about_what’s actually going on in there, here’s_a geo-tagged map showing_various_activities by the fantastic_folks at the Agbogbloshie Makerspace_Project. Note that the geo-tagged map_shows activity_to the_left of what I show below – that’s because the geo-tagged_version hasn’t been updated since the_local government shut down_those businesses_in_late March (mostly_plastic_recyclers). That’s_right, Agbogbloshie is shrinking.

In human terms, that_means you_can walk from one end of_Agbogbloshie to the other_end_in a couple of minutes (which_I did, several times). If, like_me, you spend time in_the_world_of globalized recycling, that’s nothing_special size-wise, equivalent to a large_– but not_unusually so – scrap yard in the_U.S._or EU, and much smaller than_most_landfills. Elsewhere in Africa, there are_far_larger_recycling and dump sites (Dandora_outside of Nairobi comes to mind),_and in Asia they’re even bigger (Guiyu is an_actual town). That’s_why, five minutes after taking_my_first_step in Agbogbloshie, I found myself utterly bewildered