The Waste-Free World by Ron Gonen

THE WASTE-FREE WORLD by Ron Gonen seeks to describe “How the Circular Economy Will Take Less, Make More, and Save the Planet.” Gonen, an experienced and recognized authority on recycling and sustainability, looks first at “Defeating Take and Waste” where he argues that “transitioning to circular methods of production, distribution, consumption, and reuse of products and materials will not only heal the planet; it also holds enormous economic opportunity.” Subsequent chapters advocate for action in more detail by exploring “A Wealth of Circular Solutions” that deal with areas like forests, greener groceries, and the sustainable closet. Gonen provides an historical overview; for example, he notes trends from the Scott Paper Dress of the late 1960s, through fast fashion to more sustainable clothing, employing technology to promote resale (like ThredUp or ShopThrilling) and on to newer innovations such as using micro algae to produce cloth.  An extensive set of notes (including references that span several decades) comprises roughly thirty percent of the text which offers numerous ideas for both producers and consumers.  

THE (ALMOST) ZERO WASTE GUIDE by Melanie Mannarino is quite specific in that it offers “100+ Tips for Reducing Your Waste Without Changing Your Life.”  An award-winning magazine writer, Mannarino provides suggests across chapters involving cooking, life at home, personal care, travel, clothing, and the broader community. Early on she acknowledges that “for most of us … it’s incredibly easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of waste being generated every minute of every day” and promotes the memorable 1970’s slogan of reduce, reuse, and recycle. Mannarino refers frequently to the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and credits them with the statistic that “40 percent of the food in the United States goes uneaten, and food waste is the largest component of the solid waste in landfills.” While some of her suggestions (e.g., adopting Meatless Mondays to help reduce greenhouse gas production) may seem feasible, others (e.g., make your own baby food or reuse cooking water after storing it in your fridge) have less appeal.