An ALA Notable Book
"The year was 1987 and a ship full of trash was about to become
famous...The narrative is immensely readable...A fresh take on a story
of old garbage guaranteed to spark conversations and a desire for
actions among students. Highly recommended." --School Library Journal
(starred review)
A garbage barge that can't find a place to welcome it sparks a
recycling movement in the United States in this smart and smelly picture
book from the author of Earmuffs for Everyone.
Lowell Harrelson wanted to turn trash into methane gas so he rented a
barge called Morbo 4000. His plan was to ship the garbage from New York
to North Carolina, but as the barge floated down the coast, no state
would let him dock because of smelly waste on board! The barge became a
mockery and the butt of many jokes in the media. What started as an
attempted business venture turned into quite the predicament for Mr.
Harrelson.
Mobro 4000 roamed the seas for forty-five days and traveled a distance
of 6,000 miles. While awaiting its fate, the trash floated in New York's
harbor, garnering much attention by onlookers. Green Peace activists put
up a large banner across the barge that read, "NEXT TIME...TRY
RECYCLING."
Even though the garbage barge was a farce, the unintended consequence
inspired America to find a new way to deal with its trash.