Why do we hold on to things long after they have 'expired'?

This question is the central theme in an art project called Best Before, which explores the relationship that people have with objects they no longer use.

To get people to show and talk about these objects, the artists behind the project placed plastic bags on the doorsteps of homes throughout New York city.

People were asked to fill the bags with expired items and to describe how and when each item was acquired, when and why it expired as well as the location of the item since its expiration.

The project was exhibited last year at the photographic archive in Manhattan. Fortunately, it is fully documented online as well.

Credits: Asuka Yamaguchi, Fotini Lazaridou-Hatzigoga & Elaine W. Ho.

• www.bestbeforeproject.net