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the Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste
May 15, 2018ghreads rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book is an analysis of the wasteful North American lifestyle. It looks at both reducing the amount of waste we generate and at simplifying our lives – the two go hand-in-hand. It is an interesting read. For someone who has never considered how wastefully most of us live, it will be an eye-opener. For those of us who are aware and already trying to live more responsibly, it is an inspiration to do more. Johnson’s lifestyle is extreme – her family of four generates about one quart of actual garbage a year. This would seem to be an unreachable goal for most of us but reducing our consumption and resulting waste by perhaps 30% to 50% should be achievable. Some of her suggestions seem unnecessary – e.g. she describes how to make your own makeup from bulk products without questioning why we need makeup in the first place. However, many of the suggestions require only a willingness to improve and a little preparation and planning. An attractive side benefit of this lifestyle is a substantial financial saving. The book covers waste of all types, large and small, from staples to packaging to disposable single-use products to useless gifts to junk mail. There is an appropriate emphasis on the fact that recycling is a last resort; first we should refuse, reduce and reuse, in that sequence. Only if these first three options are not feasible should we recycle and rot (compost). The book is well written and easy to read. 4 Stars.