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Wasteland

The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters

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Wasteland

By: Oliver Franklin-Wallis
Narrated by: Chris Harper
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About this listen

 A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK

ONE OF THE NEW YORKER'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023

INCLUDED IN THE GUARDIAN'S BEST IDEAS BOOKS OF 2023

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR CONSERVATION WRITING

‘A gripping read that will anger as much as it fascinates’ Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

‘An incredible journey into the world of rubbish, full of fascinating characters and mind-bending facts’ Oliver Bullough, author of Moneyland

‘Urgent, probing and endlessly interesting’ Cal Flyn, author of Islands of Abandonment

'There are stories in all our discarded things: who made them, what they meant to a person before they were thrown away. In the end, it all ends up in the same place – the endless ingenuity of humanity in one filthy, fascinating mass.'

When we throw things ‘away’, what does that actually mean? Where does it go, and who deals with it when it gets there? In Wasteland, award-winning journalist Oliver Franklin-Wallis takes us on an eye-opening journey through the global waste industry. From the mountainous landfills of New Delhi to Britain’s overflowing sewers, from hollowed-out mining towns in the USA to Ghana’s flooded second-hand markets, we meet the people on the frontline of our waste crisis – both those being exploited, and those determined to make a difference. On the way, we discover the corporate greenwashing that started the recycling movement; the dark truth behind our second-hand donations; and come face to face with the 10,000-year legacy of our nuclear waste.

Both shocking and hopeful, Wasteland is the timely and ultimately human story at the heart of an urgent global issue.
©2023 Oliver Franklin-Wallis (P)2023 Simon & Schuster, UK Engineering Thought-Provoking Mining

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All stars
Most relevant  
I would recommend this to everyone. It's not exactly a light hearted listen, but it is without doubt something everyone should be aware of.

Thought provoking

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eye-opening look at the global waste industryI sometimes struggle with non-fiction on audiobook, but the structure and content of Wasteland resonates whatever format you enjoy it on. Ostensibly a book about stuff, this book works because is also about people too. Each chapter feels like a self-contained story, which comes together to build the picture of our global waste crisis. In challenging us to think about what happens to the things we throw away, it reveals the stories of the people who interact with it, from waste disposal managers to people scouring tips on the other side of the world.
I have to admit, I've often been guilty of subscribing to an 'out of sight, out of mind' approach to waste, failing to give my rubbish a second thought after it's stuffed into my recycling bin. This eye-opening look at the global waste industry has forced me to think again. From household recycling in the UK to the flooded second-hand clothing market in Ghana, from London sewers to New Delhi landfills, each chapter shines a new light on the areas of waste that we often would rather not think about. It might not sound like the most light-hearted book - and it often makes for startling reading - but it manages to inform, engage and entertain throughout. An incredible read that you'll want all your friends and family to read immediately.

A compelling look at the global waste industry

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A well written, well researched book that will probably cause you to think about your own waste, industrial waste, and why governments can’t seem to think long term.

A cause of reflection…

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If you have ever wondered which recycling bin you are supposed to be using or what happens to all our waste once it is out of sight, this is for you. There is hope, but also some confronting reality checks. Told with humour, humility and zero preachiness, this book has reinvigorated my will to do less "wish cycling", repair more and just buy less stuff.

Not to be missed!

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a critical and balanced look at waste and recycling that for the most part confirms suspicions about recycling and waste but also a global view of waste as a business and what we could do

well researched and insightful

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You can’t un-learn what this book teaches you. I will never look at waste the same again. Absolutely fantastic and hugely engrossing. You just can’t look away. Beautifully written and really well read too. I found this a genuinely moving journey.

Genuinely life changing.

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From someone who works in the waste industry this is so on point and captivating

Brilliant

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Not the most “hot” topic, but actually one of the most relevant books I’ve read recently. It introduces you to the myths and truth of recycling, textiles, incineration, nuclear waste. With stories from Ghana, Brazil, India, UK and more. Well-written and important.

very interesting, really makes you think

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This is truly a stunning piece of work. I listened to every second in fascination. I’m not sure that I have ever learnt so much from an author due to the presentation of the information. His research and time taken to ensure that he has covered so many diverse aspects of the subject enhances the credibility and integrity of the work.
A privilege to have listened to. Beautifully read and presented.
A gem.
Ought to be used in schools and universities and sent to every company and organisation as a reference and educational resource.

Outstanding

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Everyone who has even had an opinion on waste and recycling should listen/read this book.

Excellent research, extraordinary stories well written.

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