What a Waste! answers the question: when we throw something away,
where is "away"? Ever since cave people cracked open seafood shells for
dinner, humans have produced garbage, and we've had to figure out what
to do with it. What a Waste! explores the history of garbage from
earliest times to today, covering subjects including dumps, human waste,
water pollution, "problem" garbage, and modern "throwaway" culture. From
islands made out of 5,000-year-old garbage in the Florida Everglades and
sophisticated waste-disposal systems in ancient Pakistan to "fatbergs"
the size of a city bus in sewers today, What a Waste! delves into the
fascinating, weird, and often disgusting world of garbage, and shows why
it's a growing problem. Creative solutions are showcased, like Repair
Cafés to fix broken items, grocery stores that specialize in "imperfect"
fruits and vegetables, and filtration systems in Kenya made from
discarded water bottles. With an inviting presentation including
hand-lettering and humorous illustrations, this book will both educate
and entertain young readers.