The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content
My List
Your request could not be processed.
This film is already in your list
New release
Coming 
None

Crapshoot: The Gamble with Our Wastes

2003 52 min
Leaving soon

A hazardous mix of waste is flushed into the sewer every day. The billions of litres of water - combined with unknown quantities of chemicals, solvents, heavy metals, human waste and food - where does it all go? And what does it do to us? Filmed in Italy, India, Sweden, the United States and Canada, this bold documentary questions our fundamental attitudes to waste. Does our need to dispose of waste take precedence over public safety? What are the alternatives?

We're sorry, this content is not available in your location.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.
Not available
Crapshoot: The Gamble with Our Wastes

Details

A hazardous mix of waste is flushed into the sewer every day. The billions of litres of water - combined with unknown quantities of chemicals, solvents, heavy metals, human waste and food - where does it all go? And what does it do to us? Filmed in Italy, India, Sweden, the United States and Canada, this bold documentary questions our fundamental attitudes to waste. Does our need to dispose of waste take precedence over public safety? What are the alternatives?
  • director
    Jeff McKay
  • editor
    Jeff McKay
  • narration writer
    Ruth DeGraves
  • producer
    Joe MacDonald
  • executive producer
    Graydon McCrea
  • narrator
    Ruth DeGraves
  • camera
    Linda Danchak
  • location sound
    Jerry Turchyn
  • additional camera
    Jonathan Bland
    Jeff McKay
  • original music
    Peter Bundy
    Jeff McKay
  • music performer
    Peter Bundy
    Gunnar Lindgren
  • production manager
    Jeff McKay
    Elisabetta Povoledo
  • research
    Jeff McKay
    Ruth DeGraves
    Joe MacDonald
    Maureen Reilly
  • story consultant
    Amanda McConnell
  • translation
    Adriana Lombardini
  • sound editor
    Saul Henteleff
  • online editing
    Tony Wytinck
  • final mix
    John Schritt
  • production supervisor
    Scott Collins
  • production assistant
    Melanie Coad
    Monique Perron
  • production clerk
    Rolande Petit
  • program administrator
    Cyndi Forcand

Enjoy the NFB experience on your favourite device. 

Education

Ages 15 to 17
School subjects
In today’s society, does our need to dispose of waste take precedence over public safety? What are the alternatives? Do our current sewers compound our waste problems? Do we, as citizens, need to rethink our waste problem? What are some things that we can do, as citizens, to enact change? Comment on the film’s title.
Crapshoot: The Gamble with Our Wastes
Purchase options
Also available
Already paid to see this film?