LibGuides: Service in Schools Libguide: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Picture Books for Young Readers (ages 3-7)

Clem and Crab by Fiona Lumbers (Illustrator) Clem is an explorer, a collector, a protector of the seas! Treasure hunting on her beloved beach, she stumbles across Crab, whose claw is stuck in a plastic bag. Crab will be much safer and happier in the city with Clem, but doesn't he belong on the beach? A stunningly illustrated, timely tale of cleaning up our beaches, with the message that every small action helps.
ISBN: 1541596196
Publication Date: 2020-03-03
Join the No-Plastic Challenge! by Scot Ritchie (Illustrator) For his birthday celebration, Nick has challenged his friends to spend the day without using any single-use plastic. This means they use their own cloth bags for shopping, they say no thanks to plastic straws and, instead of balloons, they decorate with kites and streamers made of natural materials. The children discover that not using plastic is not that hard. They also learn about what plastic is made of, how much of it surrounds us and how it's polluting our oceans and affecting the food chain. Most importantly, the five friends learn ways to use less - including just saying NO!
ISBN: 152530240X
Publication Date: 2019-09-03
Yasmin the Recycler by Hatem Aly (Illustrator); Saadia Faruqi Yasmin is thrilled about her school's new recycling program. But getting her friends to pitch in is no easy task! Will some creative thinking get Yasmin's friends to be good recyclers?
ISBN: 1515883744
Publication Date: 2021-01-01

Non-fiction for Young Readers and All Ages (ages 3 and up)

One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul; Elizabeth Zunon (Illustrator) The inspiring true story of how one African woman began a movement to recycle the plastic bags that were polluting her community. Plastic bags are cheap and easy to use. But what happens when a bag breaks or is no longer needed? In Njau, Gambia, people simply dropped the bags and went on their way. One plastic bag became two. Then ten. Then a hundred. The bags accumulated in ugly heaps alongside roads. Water pooled in them, bringing mosquitoes and disease. Some bags were burned, leaving behind a terrible smell. Some were buried, but they strangled gardens. They killed livestock that tried to eat them. Something had to change. Isatou Ceesay was that change. She found a way to recycle the bags and transform her community. This inspirational true story shows how one person's actions really can make a difference in our world.
ISBN: 9781467716086
Publication Date: 2015-02-01
What Millie Did by Elise Moser; Scot Ritchie (Illustrator) Milly Zantow wanted to solve the problem of her town's full landfill and ended up creating a global recycling standard -- the system of numbers you see inside the little triangle on plastics. This is the inspiring story of how she mobilized her community, creating sweeping change to help the environment. On a trip to Japan in 1978, Milly noticed that people were putting little bundles out on the street each morning. They were recycling -- something that hadn't taken hold in North America. When she returned to Sauk City, Wisconsin, she discovered that her town's landfill was nearing capacity, and that plastic made up a large part of the garbage. No one was recycling plastics. Milly decided to figure out how. She discovered that there are more than seven kinds of plastic, and they can't be combined for recycling, so she learned how to use various tests to identify them. Then she found a company willing to use recycled plastic, but the plastic would have to be ground up first. Milly and her friend bought a huge industrial grinder and established E-Z Recycling. They worked with local school children and their community, and they helped other communities start their own recycling programs. But Milly knew that the large-scale recycling of plastics would never work unless people could easily identify the seven types. She came up with the idea of placing an identifying number in the little recycling triangle, which has become the international standard. Milly's story is a glimpse into the early days of the recycling movement and shows how, thanks to her determination, hard work and community-building, huge changes took place, spreading rapidly across North America. Includes an introduction, black-and-white illustrations, sidebars, sources for further information and an index.
ISBN: 1554988934
Publication Date: 2016-08-09
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, Oscar! by Mary Lindeen; Children's Television Workshop Staff (Contribution by) Oscar the Grouch knows a lot about trash, including how to reuse it! Read along as Oscar and friends show young readers that reducing, reusing, and recycling lessens their impact on the planet. Learn how to turn trash into treasure, like making old bottle caps into artwork.We can help Earth! Interior paper made with 30 percent recycled post-consumer waste fibers.
ISBN: 1541572629
Publication Date: 2020-01-01
From Garbage to Compost by Lisa Owings How does a pile of garbage become compost? Follow each step in the cycle--from collecting kitchen and yard waste to creating compost for your garden--in this fascinating book!
ISBN: 1512409111
Publication Date: 2016-08-01
Choose to Reuse by Lisa Bullard; Wes Thomas (Illustrator); John Thomas (Illustrator) We all throw away too much stuff! Watch Tyler find ways to reuse his old things. Can you think of new uses for items you would have tossed? Do your part to be a planet protector! Discover how to reduce, reuse, recycle, and more with Tyler and Trina in the Planet Protectors series, part of the Cloverleaf Books(tm) collection. These nonfiction picture books feature kid-friendly text and illustrations to make learning fun!
ISBN: 0761361049
Publication Date: 2011-08-01
Yo Wants to Know: How Do I Make a Compost Bin? by Lea Daniel, Alan Daniel
ISBN: 1642629383
Publication Date: 2020-01-01
Composting by Jenny Fretland VanVoorst (Editor); Rebecca Pettiford
ISBN: 9781620312292
Publication Date: 2015-06-15

Non-fiction for Upper Elementary and Middle Grades (ages 8-13)

All That Trash by Meghan McCarthy (Illustrator) 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.
ISBN: 1481477528
Publication Date: 2018-02-27
What a Waste by Jess French In this informative book on recycling for children, you will find everything you need to know about our environment. The good, the bad and the incredibly innovative. From pollution and litter to renewable energy and plastic recycling. This educational book will teach young budding ecologists about how our actions affect planet Earth and the big impact we can make by the little things we do. Did you know that every single plastic toothbrush ever made still exists? Or that there is a floating mass of trash larger than the USA drifting around the Pacific Ocean? It is not all bad news though. While this is a knowledge book that explains where we are going wrong, What a Waste also shows what we are getting right! Discover plans to save our seas. How countries are implementing green projects worldwide, and how to turn waste into something useful. The tiniest everyday changes can make all the difference to ensure our beautiful planet stays lush and teeming with life. It is a lively kid's educational book with fabulous illustrations and fun facts about the world broken into easy to digest bite-sized bits. Each page can be looked at in short bursts or longer reads for more detail, making it a great children's book for a range of age groups. Get Involved - Make A Difference! Almost everything we do creates waste, from litter and leftovers to factory gases and old gadgets. Find out where it goes, how it affects our planet and what we can do to reduce the problem. From how to make your home more energy and water efficient, to which items can be recycled and tips for grocery shopping, this book is packed full of ideas on how you can get involved to make our planet a better place to live. This environment book for children has a wealth of ideas for becoming a planet-defending hero: - Discover shocking facts about the waste we produce and where it goes - Learn where about our Earth's limited resources and how to take some pressure off - Your trash is another man's treasure - Small changes to take your home from wasteful to super resource efficient - Dive into saving our oceans and super recycling - And much, much more What a Waste is one of several nature books for kids written by Jess French, a passionate conservationist and veterinarian committed to protecting the beautiful world we live in.
ISBN: 1465481419
Publication Date: 2019-04-02
Trash Revolution by Erica Fyvie; Bill Slavin (Illustrator) All the stuff that surrounds us has a life cycle: materials are harvested, the stuff is made and distributed, it's consumed and then it gets trashed or recycled. Using the typical contents of a child's school backpack (defined as water, food, clothing, paper, plastic, metals, electronics), this book explores those stages in detail, including lots of ways to reduce, reuse or recycle waste along the way.
ISBN: 1771380780
Publication Date: 2018-04-03
This Book Is Not Garbage by Isabel Thomas; Alex Paterson (Illustrator) Our planet is in peril and needs your help! If you want to learn to reduce waste and save the Earth, here are practical tips and projects that make a difference! Do you worry about the world's waste? The bad news is, humans throw away too much trash. But the good news is, there are lots of easy ways you can get involved and make a difference! From ditching straws and banning glitter to hosting a plastic-free birthday party, helping to save the planet is not as difficult as you think. So, take control of your future! Become an eco-warrior instead of an eco-worrier and do your part to save the world from GARBAGE! Concerned about climate change? Don't miss This Book Will (Help) Cool the Climate: 50 Ways to Cut Pollution, Speak Up, and Protect the Planet.
ISBN: 0593308670
Publication Date: 2021-02-23
Tracking Trash by Loree Griffin Burns A fascinating look at a scientist who follows trash to help protect our environment. Aided by an army of beachcombers, oceanographer Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer tracks trash in the name of science.
ISBN: 0618581316
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Plasticus Maritimus by Ana Pego; Isabel Minhós Martins; Bernardo P. Cavalho (Illustrator) "Clever...beguiling....Readers age 11 and older are likely to finish this book feeling both persuaded and uplifted. Beauty has a way of doing that." --Wall Street Journal For young readers comes an imaginative guide to ocean plastics, filled with tips and tricks for identifying--and combating--pollution in our oceans.  Inspired by biologist AnaPêgo's life's work, and filled with engaging science and colorful photographs, this foundational look at plastic pollution in the ocean explains why it is such an urgent contemporary issue.  When she was young, Ana Pêgo didn't play in a backyard, but on a beach. She walked along the shore, looked at tide pools, and collected fossils. As she grew older, Pêgo noticed a new species at the seaside: plastic. She decided to collect it, study it, and give it a Latin name--Plasticus maritimus--to warn people of its dangers to our planet. Pêgo tells us how plastics end up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans, shares plastic's chemical composition and physical properties, and offers a field guide to help readers identify and understand this new invasive species in all its forms, from the obvious (fishing nets and water bottles) to the unfamiliar (tiny, clear particles called microplastics). Finally, she offers a critical look at our current "solutions" to plastic contamination and in her most important proposal--REVOLUTIONIZE--calls for deep changes in our habits, motivating young and old alike to make a difference, together. An artificial and almost indestructible species, Plasticus maritimus deserves to have its days numbered! Together, we can send it packing. "A cleverly conceived and comprehensive introduction to a serious issue."-- Kirkus Reviews  Honorable Mention--Bologna Ragazzi Award.  Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute.
ISBN: 1771646438
Publication Date: 2020-09-08

Non-Fiction for Young Adults (ages 14-17)

Trashing the Planet by Stuart A. Kallen On a global scale, humans create around 2.6 trillion pounds of waste every year. None of this trash is harmless--landfills and dumps leak toxic chemicals into soil and groundwater, while incinerators release toxic gases and particles into the air. What can we do to keep garbage from swallowing up Earth? Reducing, reusing, recycling, and upcycling are some of the answers. Learn more about the work of the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Ocean Cleanup Array, the zero waste movement, and the many other government, business, research, and youth efforts working to solve our planet's garbage crisis.
ISBN: 1512448664
Publication Date: 2017-08-01
Taking on the Plastics Crisis by Hannah Testa; Ashley Lukashevsky (Illustrator) Pocket Change Collective was born out of a need for space. Space to think. Space to connect. Space to be yourself. And this is your invitation to join us. "Taking on the Plastics Crisis delivers straightforward advise for getting involved in the global movement to eliminate single-use plastics." -- Booklist, Starred Review "Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change."--Kirkus Reviews "Taking on the Plastics Crisis is a sobering and inspiring read by a brilliant young change maker. Now is the time for all of us to come together to solve the plastic pollution crisis."--Ed Begley Jr. (actor and environmental activist) In this personal, moving essay, youth activist Hannah Testa shares with readers how she led a grassroots political campaign to successfully pass state legislation limiting single-use plastics and how she influenced global businesses to adopt more sustainable practices. Through her personal journey, readers can learn how they, too, can follow in Hannah's footsteps and lower their carbon footprint by simply refusing single-use plastics. Pocket Change Collective is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists. In this installment, youth activist Hannah Testa, the founder of Hannah4Change, chronicles both her personal and political mission to save the Earth's oceans by limiting single-use plastic products.
ISBN: 0593223330
Publication Date: 2020-10-13
The (Almost) Zero-Waste Guide by Melanie Mannarino Cut back on waste, reduce your carbon footprint, and live more sustainably with these 100 (almost) zero-waste tips In a perfect world, we would all be able to fit a year's worth of waste in a mason jar. But for most of us, doing so can be immensely intimidating or simply not feasible. But even if you can't be perfectly zero waste, you can still have a profound impact on our environment, climate, and health by making some simple changes to your lifestyle and habits. Author Melanie Mannarino shares 100 simple tips for being less wasteful in a variety of contexts: -At Home, with advice not only for the kitchen and food, but also for cleaning and home organization -Travel, from commuting to vacations -Fashion, including finding sustainable brands and caring for your clothing -Community, helping you identify ways to make a broader impact beyond your home Beyond limiting your personal waste, learn about how you can reduce your "unseen" waste by making more eco-friendly choices, such as purchasing clothes with more sustainable fabrics and adopting a "Meatless Monday" regimen to help decrease your carbon footprint. If you're someone who wants to reduce waste in your daily life and make a positive impact on the planet without making drastic changes in your habits, then look no further. This highly accessible and practical guide will have you living a greener, more sustainable life that is (almost) zero waste in no time!
ISBN: 1982142235
Publication Date: 2021-01-26
No-Waste Composting by Michelle Balz No-Waste Composting includes step-by-step plans for multiple small-scale indoor and outdoor composting systems that turn repurposed household items into containment systems for composting kitchen scraps and yard waste.
ISBN: 0760368708
Publication Date: 2021-04-27