A review by inurlibrary
Junkyard Planet: Travels in the Billion-Dollar Trash Trade by Adam Minter

5.0

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!)