Garbage

Appelhof, Mary. Worms Eat My Garbage: How to Set Up & Maintain a Worm Composting System. Flower Press; Revised edition (November 1, 1997).

ISBN: 0942256107

     The definitive guide to vermicomposting - a process using redworms to recycle food waste into nutrient-rich food for plants. Newly revised and updated, this 162 page manual provides complete illustrated instructions on setting up and maintaining small-scale worm composting systems. Topics include different bins, what kind of worms to use, sex life of a worm, preparing worm beddings, how to meet the needs of the worms, what kinds of foods to feed the worms, harvesting worms, and making potting soil from the vermicompost produced. A 63 page bibliography, 24 annotated references, a glossary,and comprehensive index make this a valuable reference book as well as a practical manual.

Appelhof, Mary, and Mary Frances Fenton, Barbara Loss Harris. Worms Eat Our Garbage: Classroom Activities for a Better Environment. Flower Press (April 1, 1993).

ISBN: 0942256050
Ages 9-12

     Three creative educators collaborated to produce this guide for classroom and home. Centered around a classroom worm bin, this curriculum uses over 150 worm-related activities to develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills in children grades 4-8. Rich in content in "Wormformation" paragraphs integrates science, mathematics, language arts, biology, solid waste issues, ecology, and the environment in ways that draw children into the learning process. Three sections include "The World of Worms," "Worms at Work," and "Beyond the Bin." Includes 16 appendices, resource materials, teacher's guidelines, bibliography, glossary, and index. User has permission to photocopy for use in the classroom.

Blumberg, Louis. War on Waste: Can America Win the Battle With Garbage? Island Press, 1991.

ISBN: 0933280912

     Do we want to take our throwaway society from landfilling to "moonfilling" via the "consumerism blitz" and the "end-of-the-pipe" approach, or do we want to provide political and economic support to reasoned waste alternatives--reduction, reuse, recycling? This book is a contemporary history and sociology of solid waste from the turn of the century to the present day and was adapted from an award-winning report by UCLA graduate students.

Gibbons, Gail. Recycle! : A Handbook for Kids. Little, Brown; Reprint edition (April 1, 1996).

ISBN: 0316309435
Grade 2-4

     An eminently readable and well-organized offering that's filled with information. Gibbon's cartoons in primary shapes and colors graphically illustrate the contents of a landfill and how to recycle various products to cut down on the need for landfills--for which space is already in short supply. Discussing paper, plastic, glass, cans, and polystyrene, the author describes how to recycle, why it's necessary, and its benefits. The top two-thirds of each page is devoted to illustrations that perfectly complement the brief text below. The book ends with a mention of the ozone layer and the limited potential for recycling polystyrene, followed by 14 facts about garbage. The plea is to make our planet a safer and healthier place to live with a habit that is fun and easy--recycling. An excellent, functional introduction. --Carole B. Kirkpatrick, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Goldbeck, Nikki and David. Choose to Reuse: An Encyclopedia of Services, Businesses, Tools & Charitable Programs That Facilitate Reuse. Ceres Press, 1995.

ISBN: 0960613862

     This revolutionary guide is the first to show the ingenious ways that individuals, businesses and charitable organizations can profit from reuse -- the second environmental "R." More than 200 topics and 2,000 resources, from Air Filters to Zippers.

Harlow, Rosie, and Sally Morgan. Garbage and Recycling (Young Discoverers: Environmental Facts and Experiments). Kingfisher (April 15, 2002).

ISBN: 075345503X
Age 4-8

     Explaining the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable garbage, this book shows how glass, metal, and wool can be easily recycled. How Can I Help? boxes give suggestions for the young environmentalist who wants to recycle at home.

Hoffman, John. Art and Science of Dumpster Diving . 1993. Breakout Productions (August 1, 1999).

ISBN: 1893626075

      "Dumpster diving" is an unfortunate term for a noble pursuit: reclaiming and reusing perfectly good things that are being thrown away by wasteful or lazy people. It is also a political act highly frowned upon in materialistic societies because it removes one from obligate consumerism. And John Hoffman has written the ultimate guide for perfecting the art. A college graduate with a good job, Hoffman doesn't have to Dumpster dive: he loves to, and lives better--and more freely--because of it. In nations like America, there is an incredible amount of great stuff--often in great shape--thrown out every day. And Hoffman tells you how to claim it as your own.

Montez, Michele. 50 Simple Things Your Business Can Do to Save the Earth.  Andrews McMeel Publishing; 1st ed edition (January 1, 1990).

ISBN: 0836223012       
Ages 9-12

     A practical and upbeat guide to saving resources and protecting the environment Each brief chapter begins with an often humorous "Take a Guess," followed by an overview of a problem in "Did You Know," "What You Can Do," and "See For Yourself" sections. Statistics and measurements are translated into age-appropriate terms, such as comparing children's weight to the amount of garbage thrown away in a year. Simple demonstrations (counting cans in a supermarket) impress press upon readers the vast quantities of materials and energy routinely used. As books that deal with pollution and/ or ecology generally present the problem first and append a chapter recommending action, they lack the optimistic and encouraging tone of this book. Some of the suggestions are not easy, and adult assistance and advice are emphasized. Parents and teachers will find this to be a useful guide for increasing awareness of environmental problems and a superb teaching tool. Black-and- white drawings decorate each page.
-Meryl Silverstein, formerly at Meyer Levin Junior High School, Brooklyn. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Murphy, Pamela. The Garbage Primer: The League of Women Voters Education Fund
Lyons and Burford Publishers (1993).

ISBN: 1558212507

     "Primer" exactly describes this brief, inexpensive paperback, which offers a neat, clearly organized description of how we deal with--and how we should deal with--municipal solid waste. From landfill to incineration to recycling, Murphy presents the facts one needs in order to be knowledgeable about garbage, as well as a certain amount of guidance for political action. The Garbage Primer also includes a time line of disposal milestones and numerous informational charts.

Nancarrow, Loren and Janet Hogan Taylor.The Worm Book: The Complete Guide to Worms in Your Garden. Ten Speed Press (March 1, 1998).

ISBN: 0898159946

     This is an excellent book for a beginner in vermicomposting as well as someone with an established bin. It contains everything you could possibly need to know--information on different worm species, kinds of bins, problem shooting, starting a worm business, as well as the strange and bizarre such as worm poetry, recipes, and using worms in art! I have a small collection of worm books as well as an established bin, and I still find myself referring to the book frequently. My worms are doing so well I've started providing bins for friends and family...along with a copy of this book!

Rathje, William L., and Cullen Murphy. Rubbish!: The Archaeology of Garbage. University of Arizona Press (March 1, 2001).

ISBN: 0816521433

     It is from the discards of former civilizations that archaeologists have reconstructed most of what we know about the past, and it is through their examination of today's garbage that Rathje and Murphy inform us of our present. Rubbish! is their witty and erudite investigation into all aspects of the phenomenon of garbage. They show what the study of garbage tells us about a population's demographics and buying habits. Along the way, they dispel the common myths about our "garbage crisis"--about fast-food packaging and disposable diapers, about biodegradable garbage and the acceleration of the average family's garbage output. They also suggest methods for dealing with garbage

Showers, Paul, and Randy Chewning. Where Does the Garbage Go? Revised Edition (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2). Harper Trophy; Revised edition (January 30, 1994).

ISBN: 0064451143
Grade 1-4

     An update of the 1974 title , not only in content but also in terminology. In the original, the narrator's grandfather buried their trash on his farm and fed garbage to the hogs. "Garbage and trash" were taken together to the dump, or, in the case of big cities, incinerated, resulting in air pollution. Separating trash for recycling was only a hopeful prospect. Gone is the family farm in the 1994 edition. Children learn in school about how things "used to be." They take a field trip to a landfill where garbage and trash (brought in from a nearby big city) are still being buried, but they refer to recycling as a commonplace activity in which the whole town participates. A pie chart breaks down the composition of a landfill by percentages. Showers mentions toxic ash and smoke generated from incinerators and the basic problem of too much trash. The pictures are also more sophisticated in content, if not style. How a landfill is built and how an incinerator works are more fully portrayed than in the previous edition, and more detailed drawings are used to show the processes involved in paper, glass, and plastic recycling. Suggestions for what individuals can do to help the environment are appended. Touches of humor are added via dialogue balloons, making this title an enjoyable and useful introduction to the subject. Judith V. Lechner, Auburn University, AL

Stein, Kathy. Beyond Recycling: A Re-Users' Guide: 336 Practical Tips to Save Money and Protect the Environment. Clear Light, 1997.

ISBN: 0940666928

     As the commitment to recycling grows, many enthusiastic households look for additional ways to advance the environmental movement. Stein's book will help them move to the next level. It offers over 300 tips for reusing everyday items and promotes innovative programs like We Care, the dry-cleaning program that replaces plastic bags with reusable fabric garment bags. Stein, an environmental activist and technical writer, presents her readable, practical ideas in an organized fashion. Alphabetical arrangement makes her book easy to use, and helpful resources are included at the end of many tips. Appendixes also include lists of relevant publications and organizations. Environmentally friendly and cost-saving tips are always popular, but reuse is not a new concept. Books on the green lifestyle and frugality proliferate and include many of the ideas presented here. Bonnie Poquette, Appleton P.L., Wis.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Strong, Debra L., and Ralph Kimball. Recycling in America: A Reference Handbook. ABC-Clio Inc; 2nd edition (December 1, 1997).
ISBN: 0874368898
Grade 7-Up

     Finding this handbook on the shelf will mean hitting research paydirt. It includes an overview of the topic; biographies of important people in the field; facts on recyclable products; state-by-state laws and regulations; a directory of organizations; and a bibliography that includes books, articles, journals, educational materials, databases, and video tapes. Margaret Tice, Brooklyn Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Van Der Ryn,Sim, and Lim Van Der Ryn. The Toilet Papers: Recycling Waste and Conserving Water. Ecological Design Press (April 1, 1995).

ISBN: 0964471809

A classic is back in print! One of the favorite books of the back-to- the-land movement, The Toilet Papers provides an informative and irreverent look at how people have deal with human wastes over the centuries, and at what safe designs are available today that reduce water consumption and avert the necessity for expensive treatment systems. Van der Ryn provides homeowner plans for several types of dry toilets, compost privies, and greywater systems, and also discusses the history and philosophy of turning organic wastes into a rich humus, linking us to the fertility of the soil and ensuring our ultimate well-being. Van der Ruyn is a former architect, and his designs for compost privies are downright elegant as well as environmentally sound.