There’s no way around it: We all produce trash. Some create more garbage than others, but nobody is exempt from discards. We rely on our local garbage truck drivers—“san men”—to make it disappear. So where does it go? Does recycling really do any good? Is there anything we can do to help cut down on waste?

Elizabeth Royte asked the same questions. As an intrepid reporter, she decided to find the trail taken by her household trash. From the local collection trucks to landfills, recycling centers and scrap yards, Royte shares what she learned along the journey. Many of the facts she discovered are surprising, while others are disheartening.

Royte’s writing style is both entertaining and informative. She imbues the work with her dry sense of humor to make the best of a sometimes-nauseating subject. Ultimately, like most of our garbage, the truth about waste disposal is a mixed bag. Reading this book will open your eyes about some of environmentalism’s most basic questions.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
9/15/2006

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