Recycle : The Essential Guide

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Recycle: The Essential Guide is a basic introduction to the how's, what's, when's and where's of recycling. With vibrant visuals and a clear, accessible layout, the book illustrates all angles of the subject - from the urgency of resource depletion to the lighter, consumer-oriented aspect of eco-design.

Recycle opens with an introduction from renowned Guardian journalist, Lucy Siegle. In her inimitable way, Siegle contextualizes recycling in the changing global economy; discussing the way it has changed throughout the ages, and raising questions about where it is headed. Following the introduction is a comprehensive section of recyclable materials; Paper, Plastic, Metal, Glass, Household Waste and Compost. Each material is explained in depth; how it is sourced, its impact on the environment, how the recycling process occurs and what each individual reader can do to facilitate these processes. Interspersed amongst these sections will be a variety of little stories, facts and suggestions for inventive reuse in the home. Colorful and distinctive images run alongside, giving voice to the text.

The third section of the book is a series of 20 case studies from around the world. These case studies pay tribute to exceptionally successful or innovative approaches to recycling, such as those of New York state prison's composting and Curitiba, in Brazil, as well as representing the darker side of recycling - that of illegal export of waste to developing countries. Some of the cases will be on a national scale, others small, local initiatives. Together they illustrate just how global this issue is, and how important it is to learn from others, to find solutions to the ever expanding problem of waste.

A consumer directory follows; from chairs made out of bathtubs, to bags made out of billboard banners and strange countertop alternatives of melted mobile phones, this section addresses the issue of eco-design. In order to move forward with recycling, we as consumers need to support the recycling industries as well as the designers and artists who are using found resources, rather than producing new ones. Funky furniture, clothes and home accessories, brilliantly illustrated, with contact details alongside, will show that ethical living and trendiness are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Recycle is a call to action, and the penultimate section of the book shows readers how to take that action. A comprehensive international directory points readers in the direction of organizations and companies who can offer advice and solutions to any recycling query they may have. This directory is divided into three sections; governmental, non-governmental and materials. Whether you're wondering about glass recycling or need to get in touch with your local authority, this directory will guide your way. Finally, a glossary clarifies the meaning of all the important recycling terms. It's time to wake up and smell the rubbish. It's time to take responsibility for our waste. Recycle is the essential guide for all those who want to take that journey but aren't sure where to start.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Foreword (p. 9)
• Introduction (p. 11)
• Paper (p. 38)
• What is it? (p. 39)
• Why recycle? But does recycling make a difference? (p. 41)
• Grades of paper (p. 42)
• The recycling process for paper|44
• What's the future of paper recycling? (p. 46)
• What you can do (p. 47)
• Case Study 1 The environmental policies of the mega-economies (p. 48)
• Case Study 2 Construction workshop in Dakar (p. 50)
• Glass (p. 58)
• What is it? (p. 59)
• Why recycle?|61
• Problems with glass recycling (p. 62)
• The recycling process for glass (p. 64)
• What happens after it is recycled? (p. 66)
• What you can do (p. 67)
• Case Study 3 Curitiba-The importance of town planning (p. 68)
• Case Study 4 The Recycling Lottery (p. 70)
• Case Study 5 Zurich-Thinking twice about the garbage (p. 72)
• Metal (p. 78)
• Steel (p. 80)
• What you can do-Steel (p. 81)
• The recycling process for steel (p. 82)
• Aluminimum (p. 84)
• Other metals (p. 85)
• The recycling process for aluminium cans (p. 86)
• What you can do-aluminium (p. 89)
• Womack and Jones trace the origins and path ways of a can of cola (p. 90)
• Case Study 6 Green Dot Programme-A lesson in producer responsibility (p. 92)
• Case Study 7 Cuba-No Waste (p. 96)
• Plastic (p. 104)
• What is it? Why are they so popular? (p. 105)
• The drawbacks (p. 106)
• The recycling process for plastic (p. 108)
• What you can do (p. 111)
• Biopolymers (p. 112)
• The future (p. 113)
• Case Study 8 Coles bay, Tasmania and the plastic bag conundrum (p. 114)
• Case Study 9 It's in the bag-Ireland's plastic bag tax (p. 118)
• Case Study 10 Bundy on Tap (p. 120)
• Household and office waste (p. 124)
• E-Waste (p. 126)
• Computers and IT equipment (p. 129)
• Mobile phones White goods (p. 131)
• Batteries (p. 132)
• Tyres (p. 134)
• Textiles (p. 137)
• Wood (p. 138)
• Household hazardous waste (p. 139)
• Case Study 11 E-waste exportation and exploitation (p. 140)
• Case Study 12 TRAID-Designer Charity (p. 144)
• Case Study 13 Freecycle (p. 148)
• Case Study 14 From cradle to grave-The nappy debate (p. 150)
• Compost (p. 156)
• Centralised composting (p. 158)
• Backyard composting (p. 158)
• How to compost (p. 160)
• How to make your own wormery (p. 162)
• How to much (p. 164)
• Composting with EM Bokashi (p. 165)
• Case Study 15 New York state prisons' composting coup (p. 166)
• Case Study 16 The Regional Circulation Network-Food waste recycling in Nagaoka City, Japan (p. 168)
• Case Study 17 Hackney's Nightingale Estate-Composting but not as we know it (p. 171)
• Case Study 18 Barnet compulsory recycling scheme (p. 174)
• Sustainable Design Directory (p. 179)
• General eco-directories (p. 180)
• General eco stores (p. 181)
• Furniture (p. 182)
• Clothes and accessories (p. 184)
• Household goods and miscellaneous (p. 186)
• Stationery Materials (p. 187)
• Recycling directory of governmental organizations (p. 189)
• Directory of non-governmental organisations(NGOs) (p. 197)
• Materials directory (p. 204)
• Paper
• Glass
• Metal (p. 205)
• Plastic (p. 206)
• Household and office waste (p. 207)
• Composting (p. 209)
• Glossary (p. 210)