Cover Image: Rethink the Bins

Rethink the Bins

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Are you curious about how much waste you create, what to do with such waste and the impacts of waste on the environment? Then Rethink the Bins is for you.

I love how there was a more scientific approach to waste but it was still very user friendly and easy to navigate. By breaking down the content into specific topics and addressing questions that many of us have about our waste this book is great for reading through or jumping from topic to topic. Rethink the Bins is put together in a way that you will want to reach back to it to reference through out your journey to reduce waste.

While this book offers a deeper look into the Bins, it also has some really great personal resources and work sheets this is so important because while you're educating yourself on the topic the call to actions are right there along side the information. This way you're set up for success from the start.

One note I will add is that is it based on stats from the US (I'm in Canada) but a lot of the information is transferable and naturally to dive more into specifics you will have to reach out to your local resources.

Was this review helpful?

This is a well written, well researched and clear guide on what happens to waste after it is thrown it away. Then it provides ways in which we can take positive actions to both reduce waste and increase positive recycling habits, It is such a useful book to have around the house as a reminder that we can all do our part! I am so glad I got a chance to review it!

Was this review helpful?

A nice short and easy to read book about what actually happens to our garbage and recycling. The refreshing thing about it is that Goldstein is very realist in her hopes and expectations, and she acknowledges the limitations in our system, especially now during the coronavirus pandemic where everything we were trying seems to be upended. She mainly is trying to get people to think of ways they can do something or a little more to be more conscious of the items we buy and throw away. Just a few things I learned:
- small pieces of plastic (such as unattached water bottle lids and smaller) should be put in the trash because they end up contaminating recyclable glass
- plastic bags are a problem for recyclers and it's better to reuse and eventually recycle them at the grocery store than in the blue city bin, or at least put them all together in one
- even trash bags are a problem, and the recyclable items going into the blue bin should not be bagged but thrown in loosely
- it's important to check your local recycling services to see what they really accept (mine actually accepts a LOT)

In fact, checking your local services is advice that is given over and over in the book, to the point where I even wondered if the book might be pointless. But I actually learned a number of things from it and feel more motivated to try a little harder.

Was this review helpful?

Reduce, reuse, recycle. I've been hearing this phrase for at least 30 years. I recycle, as our city collects sorted stuff for recycling, only to learn after several years that all my sorting goes to the same place- the land fill. I often wonder about how seriously, we, as in all of us on the planet, take recycling? Plastic straws are the latest bugbears, but no has so much as uttered a peep about disposable diapers, plastic water bottles(really? You NEED to have a bottle of water with you at ALL times? What are you you? A fish??) and now, the latest environmental hazard- masks. Yes the book is timely, and has loads of ideas, and suggestions. There are even diagrams. Good read, just not likely to happen. Sad. Sorry.

Was this review helpful?

This is a very thorough and detailed book with some good ideas, but is probably better for an American audience. Also, as recycling varies from region to region it is difficult to give completely accurate information.

Was this review helpful?

A short book looking at what is thrown away in the USA and the difficulties in recycling and the mass amount of waste that is produced.
Very well researched and lots of tips for looking at your waste.
Although based in the USA there are tips that can be used by all, wherever you live.
Writing was well written.
Only issue is Kindle format, which was extremely small and could not be enlarged.
Thank you to author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read in return for a review.

Was this review helpful?

This was incredibly informative surrounding all things waste. Recycling, compost, landfills, e waste. The author goes into detail on what occurs with different type of waste and how to properly dispose of things.

Was this review helpful?

'Rethink the Bins' is a well written, well researched and concise guide on what happens to waste after we throw it away and therefore how we can take positive steps to both reduce waste and increase positive recycling habits,
As someone from the UK, some of the facts around processes from the US are not relevant, but I still found the material and research interesting. The author encourages the reader to do some self-lead research and the book is a launchpad to go further and broaden your own local knowledge of waste processes. I found the resources given by the author helpful to do so for my own country.
The checklists and other worksheets are a brilliant resource and found them interesting and helpful. I feel that the author doesn't just tell us to do better when it comes to recycling but actively helps us in this process, By giving us practical resources I believe it will encourage people to actually act rather than just read about how to do better.
The author informs and motivates without being 'preachy' on the topic and I found it a good quick read.
I found the introduction slightly off putting however. I found it just told us of what was in the book rather than introduce the topic as a whole. I know this is how many scientific papers are written, but I feel it won't appeal to many readers, as I feel they will just want to read the book rather than be told what they will be reading beforehand.
I found the 'key takeaway' summaries at the end of each chapter very useful and is a good way of people being able to back and quickly remind themselves of something for reference without reading the whole book.

Was this review helpful?

After watching Zac Efron planet programme on Netflix I have been increasingly conscious of my footprint.
I read Rethink the Bins on an ARC.
I found it informative shame it was USA break down and I am in the UK.
But it was a great idea with the SMART tick boxes and explaining processes.
I will rethink the things I recycle and reuse and make an effort to make a difference as if it’s AWFUL what does go to the landfill.
This book will 100% make a difference to my household waste. I found it interesting and informative to help teach younger generations.

Was this review helpful?