Waste Not: Make a Big Difference by Throwing Away Less

by Erin Rhoads

We need to talk about waste. Shrink-wrapped vegies, disposable coffee cups, clothes and electronics designed to be upgraded every year: we are surrounded by stuff that we often use once and then throw away. Each year Australian households produce enough rubbish to fill a three-bedroom home, including thousands of dollars worth of food and an ever-increasing amount of plastic, which takes hundreds of years to break down and often ends up in our oceans or our food chain.

But what to do about such a huge problem? Is it just the price we pay for the conveniences of modern life? What if it were possible to have it both ways – to live a modern life with less waste?

That’s where Erin Rhoads, aka The Rogue Ginger, comes in. Erin went from eating plastic-packaged takeaway while shopping online for fast fashion, to becoming one of Australia’s most popular eco-bloggers. Erin knows that small changes can have a big impact. In Waste Notshe shares everything she’s learnt from her own funny, inspiring – and far-from-perfect – journey to living with less waste.

Learn how to:
- switch out the disposable plastics from your shopping trolley
- make simple cleaning solutions free from harmful chemicals
- find your favourite beauty products without all the packaging
- give a baby shower present that won’t end up in the charity shop bag
- plan your own zero-waste wedding (and what ‘zero waste’ even means!)

Genres: Nonfiction, Sustainability, Environment, Self Help, Health, Green, Reference

379 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2018

Reviews

[Jacinta Dietrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for so many reasons but one of my favourite things was the reminder that it’s okay to take five minutes out of your day to sit in and have a coffee. Good for your mind and the environment!
This book has plenty of information about plastics and waste, and also provides cost-effective and easy solutions or alternatives. Full of recipes and DIY tips from making your own beeswax wraps to the scrappy citrus vinegar, this book is designed to help you pinpoint areas in your life with most waste and suggest changes. It’s not about going from where you are now to a complete zero-waste lifestyle in a week, but identifying what you can improve and giving you a place to start and the tools to make changes.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in lowering their consumption and waste and doesn’t know where to start, or anyone who has already started but needs a little more help. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just recently read this book. I found it great to read, educational yet also very practical, and will be using it for years to come as a good reference guide for air freshener, beeswax wraps, composting, toothpaste and hundreds of other great ideas (there are just too many to list) and solutions to reducing waste. Erin's style of writing is easy to read and packed full of information, with handy tip boxes throughout the book. I really liked the way Erin talks about how we are all on our own journey and makes you feel inspired and motivated but without guilting you to make changes. This book is helping me to make positive environmental changes in my life as well as my families life :)

[Ashlea Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after watching the War on Waste which made me realise how wasteful my family is! I really loved the practical way of looking at waste free living. Erin Rhoads so understanding of how hard it is to change our habits, and gives easy tips and tricks on slowly making changes. This book has really got me motivated to rethink how I live and my responsibilities; it’s definitely making me look closely at my impact on the environment and become more educated.

At the end of the day ignorance is not bliss we can only ignore the facts so long. It’s time to make change every little bit helps!! 🌏

[Romany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as detailed as Bea Johnson’s work, but more suited to Australian audiences, and in a style that’s easier to digest. If you can only buy one zero waste book, it should be this one. If you can borrow it from the library... even better!

[Lauren Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has got me pumped for my low waste lifestyle. Full of ideas and suggestions without being pushy or guilt tripping. I love how the author talks of her journey. This book has been my first on reducing waste, this definitely won’t be my last.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the tone and style of the book, covering many topics plus offered loads of alternatives to everyday habits that we have been instilled in us. My rating 5 stars!!! My zero waste lifestyle is very achievable. Thanks Erin

[Len Kilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the Barefoot Investor for those wanting to be more environmentally friendly.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal and will change the future. Everyone needs to take note of Erin's tips and extensive research to help cut down their over-consumption and waste. There are so many great ideas that are also easy to implement. I have already noticed that our weekly rubbish collection has been reduced dramatically by shopping differently. I also love the pictures and the layout, it makes it easier to go back and check something, like a guidebook. Everyone that has flipped through it at my house has gone and bought a copy and I will be buying more for Christmas and birthday presents!

[J.R. Koop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely recommend if you're making a start toward the zero-waste lifestyle. Has so many great tips and recipes for making some of the most basic things in your house!

[Lelreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tips and advice for people starting out on the path to reducing their waste

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erin Rhoads’ Waste Not: Make a Big Difference By Throwing Away Less is a brilliant beginners guide for cutting down on waste. It was one of my goals this year to be more environmentally friendly in my day to day life, and this book was the perfect inspiration.

The book is beautifully laid out, with lots of images and words kept to a minimum in comparison to some other environmentalist books on the market. It’s divided up into different sections of the home and everyday life so that it’s easy to quickly reference what you’re looking for.

The refreshing thing about Rhoads is that she does not place the blame squarely on the consumer, even with her philosophy of every little bit helps. She makes sure to underline that its current capitalist models of production on the part of large companies that are to blame for the majority of the earth’s pollution and waste, and that it is not our responsibility as individuals to fix their mistakes. Instead she makes it clear that while it may not be our fault, we can enact change by refusing to accept the elements of a consumer culture that we do not need, and using our buying power and our voices to advocate for more environmentally friendly options. She also makes it clear that being more eco-friendly is expensive and requires a lot of effort that some folks might not have, and that nobody should ever be made to feel guilty for the choices they have to make when it comes to single use plastics.

The book contains tips on how to swap out single use plastic items, have a plastic free kitchen, compost, create your own cleaning and beauty products, raise eco-friendly kids, and how to live a more sustainable life. With a potential move on the horizon, I’m looking forward to implementing these ideas in my new home, and I hope you’ll give some a go if you’re able!

[Spencer Kassimir · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic and practical book! Highly recommended for both those starting and already interested.

[Lisalopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really got value from this book. It is practical, motivating and an enjoyable read. Regardless of wether you are only just beginning to consider the impact of your waste or you are further along the road, you will learn something and gain ideas. Erin's approach is wise, supportive and kind. I really appreciated her focus on progress and finding your next step rather than perfection. Highly recommended.

[Sal Mavic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fun and practical, without coming across as overwhelming or too much. After following the zero waste lifestyle for a few years, I decided to purchase this book to see what it had to offer. I was surprised at the wealth of useful information and great advice within. I would love to find this book in every household across Australia and cannot wait to gift copies to family & friends.

[Natalie Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has written a hefty and accessible book on Zero Waste living brimming with resources, wisdom and hope. I finished this book feeling inspired and highly recommend it for anyone wishing to reduce their personal environmental footprint and trash.

[Rachel Beaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant - great for first steps towards reducing waste, but also covers a wide range of topics & includes useful recipes & references for those looking to do more

[Sunniva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so necessary. I did find though that as someone who is already trying to live low-waste most of the tips were things I already knew, and since the book covers more or less all aspects of life it often didn’t go as in-depth about certain topics as I would have liked. Regardless I will encourage all of my friends to read this book, hoping they may also pick up some new habits. I was definitely inspired, and took a few more steps towards a zero-waste lifestyle while reading this book.

[Chloecatastrphe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring read! Jam
Packed full of tips and tricks to reduce our waste in every aspect of our life. Erin has thoughtfully put this together with so many practical guides and will be an excellent reference to have in my library.

[rachel, x · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical, comprehensive guide perfect for anyone looking into the zero-waste lifestyle.

Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph

[starwolvie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would be perfect for the person who knows nothing about "zero waste". There wasn't anything new here for me.

The things I did like:
It an Australian book,
The options for what changes you could make at the end of each section: for one change, two changes, or change the world
Her stance on sunscreen : "I encourage people to use a sunscreen that is water-resistant and appropriate for them. If that happens to be in plastic, so be it. Skin cancer is serious.
Saying - don't succumb to environmental guilt and not to be too hard on yourself

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Waste Not to be very helpful while doing the Plastic Free July experience and it has continued to help me on my journey to reduce my waste output. There are so many helpful hints and tips. I'd recommend it to anybody wanting to become an Eco warrior.

[Elien · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complete overview of ways to tackle waste. It covers all kinds of topics from waste in the workplace to your bathroom or kitchen etc. There's some background information on materials, with a large focus on plastics. I'm glad there is some nuance as well, so as not to demonize plastics either (e.g. for medical purposes). Definitely going to try some of the cleaning, washing and body care recipes!

[Jessica Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely eye-opening, inspirational read! So many tips to ease into a zero waste lifestyle! Our copy will have torn pages soon as we flick through and refer to it on a daily basis 👍🏼 highly recommended read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Glitterbomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough good things about this book!

RTC

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs to read this book. EVERYONE.

[alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy tips, Australian. Fun to read. Check it out.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it has a lot of great tips in it for going zero waste. For those of us outside Australia, we have to remember that a lot of what she says is specific to Australia, but that it’s mostly universal.

Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking to start going zero waste.

[Russell Tassicker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative guide that avoids preachiness. Some of the research and citations are a bit thin but there is a lot of helpful, practical advice for reducing our waste in pretty much all areas of our lives.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thought provoking and very readable book on living more responsibly. Erin is obviously living the low waste life and as such the ideas in this book are very practical. This is a book we will be keeping within easy reach as it makes a good reference as we make the changes in our household.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful ideas, not preachy, she seems like a kind, humble person. Author did casually write that cleaning chemicals can cause ADHD, which hmmm [citation needed] and lost her some credit in my mind. It was interesting to read about trash in Australia instead of America. I will say it does seem dated already, just a lot of life has happened in 3 years, like micro plastic beads are now mostly banned and you don’t need a barcode scanning app to avoid them. Also the discussion around plastic straws is complicated by disability issues. Plastic cutlery sucks on every level though, I think we can all agree on that one.