Trash Talk: Moving Toward a Zero-Waste World

Footprints

by Michelle Mulder

Humans have always generated garbage, whether it’s a chewed-on bone or a broken cell phone. Our landfills are overflowing, but with some creative thinking, stuff we once threw away can become a collection of valuable resources just waiting to be harvested. Trash Talk digs deep into the history of garbage, from Minoan trash pits to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and uncovers some of the many innovative ways people all over the world are dealing with waste.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment, Science, Childrens, Stem, Canada

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2015

About the author

Michelle Mulder is a Canadian children's author. She loves writing about kids who seize life's opportunities, and she tries to do the same in her own life. Some of her favourite adventures have included helping to dig a water pipeline in the Dominican Republic, backpacking through Argentina with her husband, and riding a hot air balloon through a Cappadocian valley in Turkey. She lives with her husband in Victoria, BC.

Reviews

[Aliza Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kid friendly, historical and current lenses on humans and the trash we create. We see the negative effects on the environment, but also the positive results of recycling, composting, reusing, and moving towards "zero trash". Current, relevant, full of photos and engaging visuals.

[Goble Family · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting

[Peta · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and very quick read on the history of trash.

[Tri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great kids book talking about trash, the environment and the the first steps in going zero waste.
4.5 stars.

[Sabrina R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it in an hour. Reads more like a book for pre-teens.

[Khloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

book

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for teaching kids about what it means to be zero waste and what they can do to protect the environment.

[Patricia Tilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

TRASH TALK is one of many nonfiction books under the Orca Footprint series for middle grade students. The books are well-written, researched and filled with photos and stories of things youth are doing to create change in their world.

Michelle Mulder’s TRASH TALK is an inspiring call to action for teens to think about garbage in different ways and get involved in a zero-waste world. Her writing style is very conversational as she shares many of her own experiences from her travels around the world. Every page is filled with colorful photographs and intriguing “Trash Fact” trivia sidebars. The book is divided into four major chapters that deal with the abundance of waste, alternative solutions to landfills, dumpster diving, and developing a zero-waste life style. The book is filled with examples of things youth and adults are doing worldwide to address the problems with trash in their communities.

[Emily White · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can a child do about pollution? This book tackles the problem of garbage - how we produce it, how we deal with it (or not), and what we can do. All of us are responsible, and all of us can help. This book contains a number of resources to stop producing so much garbage. The reader is encouraged to make personal changes to reduce their garbage footprint. It also encourages people to engage their communities in clean up efforts, waste reduction, use of composting, etc. The photos and cover show mostly kids doing something, and I think that this is really important if the author wants children to get involved in conservation projects. A handsome book, broken down into manageable chunks, perfect for the young environmentalist.

[Wunderdrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title is nominated for the 2017 Hackmatack award in the non-fiction category.
This book is a pretty good introduction to the concept of waste management for kids. The author talks about the history of garbage, how humans have generated it & dealt with it for years. She touches on how improper handling of garbage can lead to sickness and disease. She then discusses ways in which we can reduce the amount of waste that we generate. Overall the message is positive and not overly pedantic.
I would have liked to have seen more in depth information about some of the kids mentioned in the book (i.e. Carter Schmidt of 'Carter's composting', Boyan Slat and his invention to trap plastic in the ocean).

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trash talk! moving toward a zero-waste world by Mulder_ Michelle
Interesting to learn more of the recycling and composting trash.
So many resources around the world with lots of ideas on how to get rid of garbage.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, practical guide to get kids thinking about their impact.

If no one suggests to kids that they could say, "No thanks" to plastic straws & lids, (or why they should) they never will. The tips in this book spark critical thinking. Trash Talk tells kids they can play a part; that they can think and act differently, for the greater good. And that it will be fun!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look at the world's garbage- the book provides short sections that contain a little history, ways to reduce waste, and unique ideas that people have to recycle the leftovers of others. Students will be left with lots to consider and it may inspire a call to action!

[Chris Gifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book full of ideas that kids of all ages can utilize to start their own environmental movements , small to large in scope.

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. It's eye-opening to see the types of things people will throw away and gives some good ideas for how to up-cycle things we think of as trash.

[Karen Upper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book filled with wonderful and easily accessible information for all kids. Photographs help to highlight the severity of this world wide issue.