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charley0796's review
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
3.75
This is a great, short, tip style book, so if that’s what you need because you already understand the why low waste living is helpful fab - but if you’re recommending this for a total newbie to zero waste who doesn’t know why it’s a thing I would recommend a different book. Best read rather than listened to as it has lots of recipes.
I’m a big advocate for low waste living and sustainability, my carbon footprint is nearly at the level we need according to WHO (using the Earth Hero app calculator which is the best I’ve seen). So I hoped this book would help me reach my goal.
A lot of the book included suggestions I already knew, some of which are feasible on a limited budget and some of which I aspire to when I have more disposable income (I.e. buying everything from a zero waste shop [inherently more expensive] as bulk sections are nearly non existent in the uk). Again, basic suggestions are what I expected to see in a 101 style book - so I wasn’t annoyed by this! I did snab a tip about going to restaurants to buy tortillas etc from them directly rather than a store - this isn’t entirely practical but was a really interesting option to try. Along side her detailed food storage tips and ideas for experience gifts (which I hadn’t considered beyond virgin experience packages which are too expensive).
A lot of the book included suggestions I already knew, some of which are feasible on a limited budget and some of which I aspire to when I have more disposable income (I.e. buying everything from a zero waste shop [inherently more expensive] as bulk sections are nearly non existent in the uk). Again, basic suggestions are what I expected to see in a 101 style book - so I wasn’t annoyed by this! I did snab a tip about going to restaurants to buy tortillas etc from them directly rather than a store - this isn’t entirely practical but was a really interesting option to try. Along side her detailed food storage tips and ideas for experience gifts (which I hadn’t considered beyond virgin experience packages which are too expensive).
Despite being a non fiction book, there are no citations but lots of facts and figures quoted. This is something that instantly knocks off a star from any non fiction book in my eyes - I like to make sure I’m not being misled by misinterpretation or poor studies. It also falls to the flaw most American writers encounter - assuming all readers are from the USA. It would have been great to see the author include facts that relate to other countries alongside the USA, as a UK reader a lot of the USA stats are much higher than stats from my country. The same goes for a brief comment on adaptations for disabled or people not able to use the reusable items (like reusable metal straws are bad if someone has fits for example).
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death and Cancer
burnt_milk's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
3.75
Good! And has some great ideas to reduce waste with tips you can immediately implement. I was surprised to find a lack of citations though. Additionally, an acknowledgement of how energy and time-rich (and money rich, honestly) you have to be to live zero waste would have been nice.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death and Cancer
typedtruths's review
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.0
Condescending, shallow, and sourceless. Try Waste Not instead.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death
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