Ep 8. Brown Plate Special
- February 26, 2008
In this episode of Dirty Jobs, host Mike Rowe takes viewers on a journey through the world of food waste management and recycling. Titled "Brown Plate Special," this episode showcases the often-overlooked but critical work that goes into processing sewage and organic waste.
Mike begins the episode at a wastewater treatment plant in Washington state, where he meets with the plant's superintendent, Dave. Dave gives Mike a tour of the facility, explaining how raw sewage and wastewater from homes and businesses are treated and cleaned before being released back into the environment.
Mike then travels to a food waste recycling facility in Oregon, where he meets with Brad, the plant's general manager. Brad shows Mike how the facility accepts food waste from restaurants and supermarkets, and how that waste is processed, sterilized, and transformed into nutrient-rich compost.
The episode also features a segment on a company in California that specializes in cleaning and maintaining grease traps for restaurants. Mike goes out on a service call with the crew, getting up close and personal with the slimy, smelly job of cleaning restaurants' greasy wastewater before it can clog up the city's sewage infrastructure.
Throughout the episode, Mike showcases the ingenuity and dedication of the workers in these industries, who are often underappreciated and unrecognized for the essential work they do. He also emphasizes the importance of responsible waste management and recycling, highlighting the impact that these industries can have on the environment and the local community.
As with all episodes of Dirty Jobs, "Brown Plate Special" is both educational and entertaining, thanks to Mike's trademark humor and enthusiasm. Viewers will come away with a newfound respect for the hardworking men and women who keep our cities clean and our food waste properly managed.
