Wasted : how we squander time, money, and natural resources - and what we can do about it / Byron Reese & Scott Hoffman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Reese, Byron, author.

Hoffman, Scott, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Refuse and refuse disposal--Social aspects.

Refuse and refuse disposal.

Recycling (Waste, etc.)--Social aspects.

Recycling (Waste, etc.).

Environmental ethics.

Genre:

Business & Economics / Environmental Economics.

Physical Description:

xix, 275 pages ; 22 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Currency, 2021.

Summary:

"Waste. We spend a great deal of energy trying to avoid it, but once you train your eyes to look for it, you'll see it all around you-in your home, your business, and your everyday life. In Wasted, futurist Byron Reese and entrepreneur Scott Hoffman take readers on a fascinating journey through this modern world of waste, drawing on science, economics, and human behavior to envision what a world with far less of it-or none of it at all-might look like. Along the way, they explore thought-provoking issues such as why the United States got a higher proportion of its energy from renewable sources in 1950 than it does today whether the amount of gold in unused consumer electronics can be mined for profit how switching to water fountains on a single flight from Singapore to Newark could prevent the use of 3,400 plastic bottles whether the amount of money you save buying goods in bulk is offset by the amount you lose when some spoil Ultimately, the question of reducing waste is scientific, philosophical, and, most of all, complex. According to Reese and Hoffman, the rush toward simple answers has often led to well-meaning efforts that cause more waste than they save. The only way we can hope to make progress is to treat waste as the complicated issue it is. While the authors don't promise easy answers, in this compelling book they take an important step toward solutions by examining the questions at play, giving actionable steps, and ensuring that you'll never see the world of waste the same way again"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: pt. 1 WASTE AND OUR PLANET

In a Million Years, They Will Know Us by Our Polystyrene Foam

Are Landfills the Green Choice?

One Word: Plastics

They're Everywhere, Man!

The Problem with Single-Use Plastics

The Aluminum Cans ... and Cannots

Recycling the Truth

Does Recycling Increase Waste?

Water, Water ... Everywhere?

Use It or Lose It

A Deep Dive into Water Waste

pt. 2 WASTE IN OUR BUSINESS

Oh, You Have the Old Version

Sixty Elements in Your Pocket

Is All That Glitters Waste?

Mine Locally, Smelt Globally

Waste at 30,000 Feet

If You Don't Like It, Just ... Return It

Returned Goods

Food Waste

The Distance Dilemma

pt. 3 THE SCIENCE OF WASTE

Deep Breath and Exhale

Carbon Mitigation

It's Electric!

Electricity Usage

Sun to Table: Waste in Photosynthesis

Food as Fuel

pt. 4 THE PHILOSOPHY OF WASTE

Wasting Money

Wasting Time

Wasted Human Potential

Is Humanity the Fundamental Problem?

The Worst Waster Ever

Some Final Words on Waste.

Notes:

Includes index.

Other Format:

Online version: Reese, Byron. Wasted

ISBN:

9780593135181

0593135180

OCLC:

1248598482

Publisher Number:

99987720819