What a Waste: Where Does Garbage Go?

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.

Claire Eamer has written many award-winning nonfiction books for children, including Before the World Was Ready: Stories of Daring Genius in Science; The World in Your Lunch Box: The Wacky History and Weird Science of Everyday Foods; and Super Crocs & Monster Wings: Modern Animals’ Ancient Pasts. She lives on Gabriola Island in British Columbia.

Bambi Edlund is an illustrator and designer living in Vancouver, British Columbia.