Trash Talk: An Eye-Opening Exploration of Our Planet's Dirtiest Problem

by Iris Gottlieb

An eye-opening, illustrated look at something we often take for granted—our trash, and the systems in place that make it disappear (or not)In a world of mass consumption and busy schedules, taking the time to understand      our own trash habits can be daunting. In Talking Trash, the ever-curious and talented Iris Gottlieb pulls back the curtain on the intricacies of the global trash production system and its contribution to climate change     . From the history of the mafia’s rule of the New York sanitation system to orbital debris (space trash) to the myth of recycling, Gottlieb will help readers see trash in a whole new way.    Complete with beautiful illustrations and several landfills’ worth of research, Talking Trash shines a much-needed light on a system that has been broken for far too long, providing readers with surprising, disgusting, and insightful information to better understand how we affect garbage and how it affects us.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Audiobook

240 pages, Paperback

Published August 20, 2024

Reviews

[sarah young · Rating 5 out of 5]

My current top book recommendation for 2025!!
Everyone should read it. I checked it out from my local library. While it focuses on anxiously heavy topics, which may seem OVERLY depressing at this ridiculously distressing time, the author's candor, illustrations, and knowledge make it worthwhile. The Trashy Tidbits were particularly enjoyable. The book's grim (impending doom, wtf world, greenwashing) themes required me to take multiple breaks during reading. Nevertheless, I strongly recommend giving it a read.

Here’s to a more eco-conscious, INFORMED life. Knowledge is power and boy does this book have loads.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

A popular science book that has little to no science in it. Instead it's a musings on a wide range of topics that are mostly associated with trash. This has the now standard climate change emphasis, I get it and I agree, but i wanted to learn about a subject I didn't know about. It also has the expected prosperity guilt and all the other types of guilt that are alssociated with a certain socioeconomic class.

I wanted to learn about garbage and waste and instead got a liberal arts term paper. If you have read anything at all on this subject or have a more science or technological outlook this book is not for you.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book only has 29 reviews??? I checked this book out from my library, and also listened along to the audiobook. This was incredibly sobering and humbling to read. It helps put into perspective just how MUCH trash humans produce, in various aspects of life that you wouldn't even think about. Sustainability is truly about a balance - there is no perfect solution. Should you leave your dog poop in the wilderness where it is filled with bacteria and pathogens that the wilderness environment is not familiar with, or should you pack it away in a single use plastic baggie where it will go to a landfill? Biodegradable and compostable plastics sound great! But they are often only able to be composted as industrial scales or under very specific conditions.

In the US, we are in a trash-filled country. This book certainly does not hold back in talking about the truth behind where our trash goes and what's in it. I would suggest not reading this book (at least certain chapters) while eating. But at the same time, I feel like it gives a hopeful message. Now after reading this book, I am more aware of my environmental impact and the non-sustainable ways in which I live. And our individual choices can be effective, and they do matter.

P.S. I really want to buy my own copy of this book - but I'm going to see if I can find a used copy. :)

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

superficial overview of waste. discusses a bunch of topics but doesn't go into detail about them, and doesn't really give quantitative comparisons between the categories. kind of just mentions each type of waste and moves on to the next. I wish the author injected fewer of their own personal experiences and replaced these with more information. provides no guidance as to what we can do to ameliorate the issues discussed in the text.

also weird that there was an entire chapter about food, but no discussion of the impact of cow feces (hello environmental racism), and an entire chapter about textiles but no discussion of the impact of tanning (hello environmental racism)

[Sarah H.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. Everyone should read it. I love learning about garbage, so I knew a lot of the things that she had in here. But not all of it! And definitely not the scale! The numbers! Everyone should read it just for a shift in their understanding. I want to be Iris’ best friend honestly. There are diagrams and illustrations in the book but they honestly don’t put much value into it, they are more of just thoughtful scribbles. This is not a textbook, it’s a book about looking at the world and our participation in it in a different way. Yay trash.

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trash Talk... I thought I knew a lot about trash until I read this book. WOW there is so much history of garbage and how humans have lived in trash collection areas, sent trash "away" and even the desire to live with trash in creative ways. Well researched, loved the illustrations along the way, and I appreciate the light humor with this serious subject. Eye opening and really well researched.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to learn about trash, this is a great book. Some of the authors solutions will never be embraced by people, though. And when I was done, I felt like recycling the plastics was pointless, since so many things I recycled were unacceptable. But overall, it was very informative. (Kindle)

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations and how engaging this book is. It really covers an exhaustive list of topics including medical waste, orbital debris, and the funeral industry. As a Maryland native I was impressed with the inclusion of our trash wheels!

[Dawson Hazen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information on the state of waste in the US and the world. Sadly that is really all the book is, with very few solutions presented the books serves more as a depressing read that adds to the overall negative news of general media.

[Becca Fanucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and lots of good information I didn’t know. I wish the last chapter had a list of actionable items.

[Deep Frey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and thought provoking. The author warns that after reading you might look at the world a little differently. She's right!

[Vickie Jameson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very eye-opening book. Definitely worth reading.

[Tammy Post · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative and disturbing!

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me think more about use, wants, needs and what we are doing to Mother Earth, more then ever before. Disturbing to think how waste is so emotional and driven by the capitalist machine.

[Greg Zimmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and informative (I learned about some things I didn't know), but a little too preachy.