This book explores the little-known world of scrappers and metal thieves. Benjamin F. Stickle bases his study on field research collected while traversing communities with thieves and scrappers. Drawing on candid interviews, observations of criminals at work, and participation in the scrapping subculture, the volume describes the subculture of scrappers and identifies differences between scrappers and metal thieves. Through the offenders’ perspective, often quoting their candid responses, Stickle explores the motivations for metal theft as well as the techniques and methods for successfully committing theft. The book discusses how these methods and techniques are learned and identifies ways—often through the thieves’ own words—to prevent metal theft. Throughout the book, Stickle also challenges common assumptions about this community and identifies wider policy implications.

Metal theft is a crime that has significantly affected the U.S. in the last decade causing millions of dollars of damages and losses. However, little is known about its prevalence and harms to society. Moreover, even less is known about the individuals who are involved in metal theft. This lack of knowledge has hampered the ability of law enforcement, governments and individuals to prevent metal theft. The present study provides the first known qualitative examination of scrappers and metal thieves. Qualitative data is derived from participant observation and unstructured interviews with scrappers as well as metal thieves. The goals are to define the characteristics, develop understanding, describe places and events, and identify the meanings, concepts and definitions of metal thieves. The present study provides insight into the criminal motivation and methods of metal theft as well as lays a foundation for future studies. Findings indicate that much of what is commonly believed about metal thieves in popular media and through anecdotal reports may be incorrect. Among other important findings, the present study indicates there is a clear difference between scrappers and metal thieves, identifies a scrapping subculture and distinguishes a taxonomy of scrappers and metal thieves. Further, metal thieves tended to operate in teams, usually are employed, often planed and deliberately committed theft, and were less influenced by drugs than frequently claimed. Moreover, metal thieves are often currently, or vii have a past work history, in field related to metal. These and other findings represent a significant contribution to the field of criminal justice and provide a thorough understanding of metal thieves and their behavior.

Columbus was one of many cities in Ohio dealing with a growing incidence of metal theft. The problem was that not enough was being done to address the issue. The purpose of this research was to examine the scope of metal theft in Columbus and the state of Ohio and define what steps were taken to address the problem. The research questions used to gather information on the subject were:(a) what types of risk does scrap metal theft create, (b) what factors lead to metal theft in Columbus and the state of Ohio, (c) how did the city of Columbus and Ohio address metal theft, and (d) what effect has the actions of the city and the state had on metal theft and the community? The literature review revealed that copper and aluminum are the most stolen metals and Ohio routinely ranks number one in the country in metal theft. Uses for these metals include; air conditioning units, water and gas pipes, and car parts, among other others. In addition to being expensive, theft of these items creates dangers to the public and safety forces. Many factors were found to contribute to metal theft, including the price of the materials, the economy, wages, and drug use. The city of Columbus enhanced scrap laws to deter theft, and Ohio followed suit soon thereafter. Although there was some financial impact from the changes in the law, scrap dealers are cooperating. The scrap metal industry even initiated programs to catch metal thieves and deter theft. Due to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in documentation, it is difficult to track specific incidence of metal theft and the impact of the changes. Recommendations included; improvements in documentation of theft, increased security measures, continued enforcement of the law, and reducing contributing factors will reduce metal theft.

This book investigates the complex and unpredictable temporalities of waste. Reflecting on waste in the context of sustainability, materiality, social practices, subjectivity and environmental challenges, the book covers a wide range of settings, from the municipal garbage crisis in Beirut, to food rescue campaigns in Hong Kong and the toxic by-products of computer chip production in Silicon Valley. Waste is one of the most pressing issues of the day, central to environmental challenges and the development of healthier and more sustainable futures. The emergence of the new field of discard studies, in addition to expanding research across other disciplines within the social sciences, is testament to the centrality of waste as a crucial social, material and cultural problem and to the need for multi- and transdisciplinary approaches like those provided in this volume. This edited collection seeks to develop a framework that understands the material properties of different kinds of waste, not as fixed, stable or singular but asdynamic, relational and often invisible. It brings together new and cutting-edge research on the temporalities of waste by a diverse range of international authors. Collectively, this research presents a persuasive argument about the need to give more credence to the capacities of waste to provoke us in materially and temporally complex ways, especially those substances that complicate our understandings of life as bounded duration. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of the environmental humanities, cultural studies, anthropology and human geography.