Monthly Statement:
September 2005, Month 1

I recently read an article in the Washington Post that the University of Wisconsin, Madison opened a lab to test a computer chip that will replace UPC barcodes. The technology is called Radio frequency identification or RFID. The computer chip is the size of a grain of rice and would store data, which is transmitted wirelessly by a small antenna to a receiver. Therefore this year may be the last of the UPC barcodes.

This first month, I worked out a system of collection and how to process the barcodes. The barcodes are saved after I have finished consuming the item. So before I put the packaging either in the trash (landfill) or recycling bin, I cut out the barcode and place it into a file box. As I began accumulating, I noticed that only the items that had waste packaging had barcodes. When I bought vegetables, shopped at the thrift store, or bought vintage clothing, there were no barcodes and no waste packaging. This project is a good way to track my waste products consumption throughout the year.

I register all barcodes into a logbook. The categories are: UPC number, Description, Date, Made in, Acquired from, Use, Waste products, Waste Destination (Landfill, Recycle or Self Recycle). I will also put this data into an Excel spreadsheet, so I may sort to different categories and make graphs of my consumption and waste. I can also trace the corporations that I purchased the most from as well as the types of products.

I place each barcode into a 1-1/2" x 2-3/8" clear zip-lock bag. The barcodes may be removed any time from the bags. I decided to make the long book with a concertina (accordion) binding instead of sewing the coptic stitch that I had originally proposed. The concertina allows for a rubber stamp date and number for each accumulate. The long book is very flexible and can fold back 360 degrees. I have provided photos of a few views. For September 2005, the book is 18 inches. If every month of the year averages 18 inches, the book for the year will be 18 feet! Each month the book spine will alternate between white or black. This month, it is white. After a year, the spine will read like the stripes of a bar code; a bar code has twelve numbers, like the 12 months of a year.

Process: I plan to collect every UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode acquired through my activities of the day, each day for a year.  These products may be purchased by me or given to me.