Everyone's Trash: One Man Against 1.6 Billion Pounds

by Duncan Watson

Each day, every single person in the United States, all 324 million, discards about five pounds of waste. Be it a bottle that gets placed in a recycling bin or a piece of paper crumpled and tossed into the waste bin, every bit of the daily 1.6 billion pounds cast-off has a story. This book is full of those stories. It will wake you up and give you hope. As the author, Duncan Watson, says, “More people in American recycle than vote. Recycling is more popular than Democracy!”

Watson has been running the City of Keene’s solid waste program for 33 years. He has brought nation attention to the program for solid waste disposal that Keene, NH, has built. He spins a good yarn, and the rich characters who populate the “dump” in Keene, New Hampshire, provide endless entertainment and a lot of laughs. He is also a yoga teacher, dog lover, and he visits Comic Cons all over the country, as he was a voice actor of Charlie Brown in three movies in his youth; “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown”, “You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown”, and “Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown.”

“By turns hilarious and heartwarming, distressing and hopeful, Everyone’s Trash is about way more than recycling and trash. It's a poignant Xray of a small city's soul—and a testament to the power of connection, compassion, and community.” — Sy Montgomery, NYT Bestselling author, Soul of the Octopus, Of Time and Turtles

“Duncan Watson turned his passion for recycling trash into creating a nationally recognized facility in southwestern New Hampshire. Now he tells his story, filled with unforgettable characters, self-deprecating humor, and a larger message for today. Like one of those unexpected discoveries many of us have picked up on a visit to our own recycling center, Everyone’s Trash is a treasure.” — Dayton Duncan, author, The National America's Best Idea

“From his first Recycling Center job in California to his Municipal Recycling Facility-MRF- ‘Murph,’ in New Hampshire, Duncan shares the humanity of his life well lived and the intertwined storylines that come alive in every chapter. His skill as a recycling and waste professional is only surpassed by his ability to share heartfelt stories of humanity with his readers. It is the rare author who can be this honest in his narration and every reader will be the richer for the experiences he recounts." — Mike Durfor, Executive Director (Ret.), Northeast Resource Recovery Association

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2024

Reviews

[Jane Sweatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written collection of stories written by Duncan Watson who has worked for the city of Keene, NH as the head of the municipal recycling facility and the assistant person in charge of the Dept. of Public Works. He shares with humor stories about the recycling center while weaving the histories of improving the facility over the years. As well as the ups and downs of running the facility. He speaks fondly of many people he has worked with over the years as well as people in the city’s government whom he met with on a weekly basis to give reports about both jobs.
Aah and a fun little bit about his connection to Charlie Brown! Read to find out more.
J.

[Shawn Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful and compelling read, one that will stick with you long after you finish it. In the spirit of Bill Bryson, Watson takes us on a journey, one not only through recycling centers and town dumps, but also through heartwarming and heartbreaking events in his life. In his humble and often hilarious way, he animates a subject many of us rarely considered... but definitely will now. Highly recommend.

[YuJun Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally picked this book up because “Everyone’s Trash” 😆

It was a very interesting to learn these unique experiences from a Charlie Brown voice actor that dove into refuse and recycle job and then became higher up in public service chain of command and the many different characters he met over the years which helped blend the educational / scientific knowledge being passed on.

[Usha Kulkarni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational Book! I have picked on a visit to the garbage and recycling centre of my town to get a better understanding . We have borrowed this earth space from our forefathers for the future generations. We are fortunate and hopeful. Must read!

[Nam · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s more like a memoir and the cast of characters of the MRF in Keane NH than a deep dive into recycling, but what was i expecting?

he’s a good guy.

[Vicki Sirny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t know why I grabbed this book, but was entertaining, and fast paced. And as a bonus I learned a few things about something we take for granted everyday

[Seana P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-told story of a career in public waste management with lots of entertaining asides.