Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

A very handy household guide to how you can reduce your consumption of items, recycle or reuse them. In his introduction, the author reflects on how different the average dustbin looked in the 1950s when compared with today. Paper was used to start fires, and ash put in the dustbin (or on roses). At that time, there was very little plastic or packaging and people went shopping with shopping baskets; bottles were returnable and milk delivered (also in bottles). The terms in the title are then explained, and the reader is encouraged to refuse packaging, avoid disposables, buy in bulk and support the local economy. In addition, various recommendations are made about how to the use or recycle items. The rest of the book is an alphabetical directory of what we can do with a whole range of household items. Interspersed in the text are a few nuggets, for instance 'it takes just 1 L of engine oil to pollute 700,000 L of fresh water.' A book to keep in the kitchen for ready reference.