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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I really liked this book, but I got a little confused. The whole time, I was thinking that the majority of recyclables from the US were shipped overseas, but then in the final chapter, there’s a comment about how 2/3 of the US’s recycling is actually recycled in the US. But at least 2/3 of the book was about the international recycling trade, which I guess makes sense considering that the author lived (or still lives? I was also confused about that part) in China and the importing/exporting business seemed to be his focus. But now I believe that some things are recycled in the US, maybe the easily sorted things. Like the steel from cars? It was weird because he talked about where the metal and whatever went after it was sorted in China, like about going to build highways and the plastic for slippers and the computer chips for electronic toys, but he only talked about sorting in the US. I was thinking that the initial sort was done in the US, and then the sorted things were baled up and shipped overseas. But maybe those things are recycled in the US and just the mixed up stuff that people in the US don’t want to deal with are shipped overseas? I feel like I should be clearer on this.
I liked a lot of things about the book, and it explained a lot of things that make sense when I think about them, but I’ve never thought about them like that. Like how it’s super cheap to ship recyclables to China because boats are already coming over here full of manufactured goods, and they have to go back anyway, so might as well make a little money by filling them with recyclables. It was interesting to think about this cycle, the US sending waste (recyclables) to China, and then China sending back manufactured goods, and the packaging or items themselves eventually just get sent back to China as recycling. It makes me see how privileged the US is, like we don’t have to do any of the work ourselves, we just ship it all out, so all the resulting pollution, low wages and health problems never have to touch us. We just get our trash to disappear and then we get nice new things whenever we want.
I also liked how the author emphasized recycling as a last resort, after reducing and reusing, and pointed out that recycling isn’t a “get out of jail free card” for our rampant consumption. I’m glad to know about the environmental destruction caused by recycling – yeah it’s better than mining for raw materials, but it’s not without its own issues, and just because we in the US don’t see those issues, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I think the biggest takeaway I have from this book is that the real way to combat waste and the problems of the recycling industry is to consume less and create less waste and recycling from the start.
I liked a lot of things about the book, and it explained a lot of things that make sense when I think about them, but I’ve never thought about them like that. Like how it’s super cheap to ship recyclables to China because boats are already coming over here full of manufactured goods, and they have to go back anyway, so might as well make a little money by filling them with recyclables. It was interesting to think about this cycle, the US sending waste (recyclables) to China, and then China sending back manufactured goods, and the packaging or items themselves eventually just get sent back to China as recycling. It makes me see how privileged the US is, like we don’t have to do any of the work ourselves, we just ship it all out, so all the resulting pollution, low wages and health problems never have to touch us. We just get our trash to disappear and then we get nice new things whenever we want.
I also liked how the author emphasized recycling as a last resort, after reducing and reusing, and pointed out that recycling isn’t a “get out of jail free card” for our rampant consumption. I’m glad to know about the environmental destruction caused by recycling – yeah it’s better than mining for raw materials, but it’s not without its own issues, and just because we in the US don’t see those issues, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I think the biggest takeaway I have from this book is that the real way to combat waste and the problems of the recycling industry is to consume less and create less waste and recycling from the start.
Random find during library browsing. Quickly realized it's not what I thought it would be when I started reading, but thought I'd give it a try anyway. 1/2 way through it & I'm done.
As environmentalists, we're conditioned to have a certain negative reaction to the idea that our recyclables are exported and processed under hazardous conditions. In his book, Minter's goal is to show us that no matter the methods, risks, and hazards involved, recycling is still better than the alternative of mining for fresh raw materials (though more time is spent on economic factors, health and environmental aspects are also covered.) He succeeds by giving us an insider's perspective into the Chinese and American recycling industries, going into detail about the processes that specific types of electronic waste undergo to be either refurbished into usable products or recycled into raw materials. He does not dispute that the health and environmental consequences of many recycling operations in China and many third world countries are horrendous, but by the end it's clear that there are currently few alternatives available for those who want to engage in the typical Western consumer lifestyle and attempt to keep our consciences clear by segregating our recyclables from waste destined for the landfill (though Minter also covers that much of what we assume is recycled may be landfilled anyway due to contamination and the fluctuating market for the end product.) His ultimate message is this: that the only way to solve this waste crisis is to reduce our consumption by favoring quality over quantity, using products until the end of their lifespan instead of upgrading to the latest models, and to favor repair, reuse and refurbishing of our existing possessions. Recycling is a worthwhile (if imperfect) process, but it is not the answer to our culture of over consumption.
A must read for any self-identified environmentalist; highly recommended for any citizen of a first-world nation. 4 1/2 stars (my only complaint is the lack of references or a bibliography for further information -- something I was definitely interested in after this read!)
A must read for any self-identified environmentalist; highly recommended for any citizen of a first-world nation. 4 1/2 stars (my only complaint is the lack of references or a bibliography for further information -- something I was definitely interested in after this read!)
Very interesting and well written. I was talking about this book the entire time we were in Atlantic City. Downgraded one star because it only raises a number of huge issues, and proposes no ideas or solutions, though this is maybe outside of the scope of the project it felt like there should have at least been a proposal.
This was part of an Environmental Book Club through my local library.
Being spawned from a mother that ran a recycling center for many years I am familiar with one part of waste management. This book was very informative about the scrap industry, especially in regards to globalization and trade with China. All sides of the issue were covered, Minter made no attempt to clean the image or cast it in a bad light. We have no perfect solution for recycling materials. Especially when we cannot seem to reduce or reuse what we waste. Some chapters felt redundant while the last couple I would have read more about. Looking forward to the next installment.
Being spawned from a mother that ran a recycling center for many years I am familiar with one part of waste management. This book was very informative about the scrap industry, especially in regards to globalization and trade with China. All sides of the issue were covered, Minter made no attempt to clean the image or cast it in a bad light. We have no perfect solution for recycling materials. Especially when we cannot seem to reduce or reuse what we waste. Some chapters felt redundant while the last couple I would have read more about. Looking forward to the next installment.
Fascinating and troubling at the same time. We Westerners produce most of the waste and "recycle" it, but what we all should be doing is consuming less and reuse more. However, when you see how the society is more set on shopping (for garbage we don't need anyway) rather than reusing what we have, what hope can there be for mankind?
One of the most interesting chapters for me was the last one: did you know that when during the recession in 2008 huge quantities of cardboard and packaging material were just disposed of in landfills, since the price for selling them to recycling plants was so low that it wasn't worth transporting? And what about companies like Apple, who created for themselves a very nice green profile on their website? Their products sometimes aren't that green after all: who knew that the iPad is not recyclable, and is going therefore to get shredded?
I do recommend this, even if some parts are a bit lengthy (especially when the author describes the families involved in the business, and I wanted him to move on and talk more about the recycling itself!).
One of the most interesting chapters for me was the last one: did you know that when during the recession in 2008 huge quantities of cardboard and packaging material were just disposed of in landfills, since the price for selling them to recycling plants was so low that it wasn't worth transporting? And what about companies like Apple, who created for themselves a very nice green profile on their website? Their products sometimes aren't that green after all: who knew that the iPad is not recyclable, and is going therefore to get shredded?
I do recommend this, even if some parts are a bit lengthy (especially when the author describes the families involved in the business, and I wanted him to move on and talk more about the recycling itself!).
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
This appeals to my not so inner nerd - I would love to own a scrapyard where cars are scrapped and the coins spat out into a bucket. Intricate and wonderful book - should be required reading for councils :)
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
There were some interesting pieces of information in this book, but it was pretty repetitive and dry in parts.