I read this book last year, and it totally shifted my perspective on our economic system. I went from having a vague sense that it could be better, but no understanding of why or how, to seeing what parts of Capitalism are problematic, where they come from and how they fit into the economic system as a whole. I did find the start a bit depressing - it was a summary of our environmental context as of a few years ago when the book was written. After that it gets more positive, and I found it quite inspiring. —Marie-Claire in Queenstown, New Zealand

Waste Wars is a jaw-dropping exposé of how and why, for the last forty years, our garbage — the stuff we deem so worthless we think nothing of throwing it away — has spawned a massive, globe-spanning, multi-billion-dollar economy, one that offloads our consumption footprints onto distant continents, pristine landscapes, and unsuspecting populations. If the handling of our trash reveals deeper truths about our Western society, what does the globalized business of garbage say about our world today? And what does it say about us?
Recommended by Alex in Brattleboro, VT, Dave in Brookline, MA, Bob in Naples, FL, Patricia in Cincinnati, OH and Amanda in Viroqua, WI

I love that this book not only describes our society’s terrible excessive waste problem, but also presents real-life actions that are making an impact. —Susan in Williamstown, MA

How we can fix our waste and heal our world.’ This is an entertaining book that opened my eyes to the various forms of waste and the creative and inspiring ways that people are trying to problem solve. —Peter in Richmond, KY