Sustainability: How to Create a Greener World

In a world beset by climate change, environmental problems can feel overwhelming. Afterall, most people don’t set climate policy and even people who do don’t seem to have a firm handle on the issue. However, there are still things an individual can do to make the world healthier and more sustainable. One of those solutions is zero waste living: a form of living that minimizes waste, maximizes recycling, and reduces consumption. Another solution is upcycling. Upcycling is the process of reusing discarded material by creating a product of higher value. For example, using discarded clothes to create textile art. But the real goal of people trying to live a sustainable life is to reduce their ecological footprint, usually through simple living. There are many different ways to contribute to the health of the planet and some of the books in our collection are brimming with ideas on how best to do that. All the books mentioned in this blog post are available in Mercer County Library System’s physical collection.

Zero waste has been defined in more than one way, but generally it is a set of principles focused on preventing waste by repurposing or reusing objects. Some examples of zero waste actions are not using single-use plastics and composting food scraps. Trash Talk!: Moving Toward a Zero Waste World by Michelle Mulder is a book for kids (around age 9-12). Mulder delves into the history of how humans have dealt with garbage, including the Minoan trash pits. This book also describes the innovative ways people around the world are pushing for ways to eliminate (or at least reduce) trash. 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Kathryn Kellogg shares her own zero waste journey while offering advice on the changes readers can make in their own lives. In addition to the zero waste tips, she also discusses responsible consumption and assures the reader that perfection is not the goal, simply making better choices is.

Upcycling is a word that I only heard recently and I honestly didn’t understand it. What’s the difference between upcycling and recycling? Upcycling is very closely related to recycling (a fashionable cousin, perhaps). Upcycling takes an old product and turns it into something of greater value. For example, recycling is turning a plastic water bottle into a different plastic water bottle; upcycling is turning a plastic water bottle into a self-watering herb planter. Trash to Treasure: A Kid’s Upcycling Guide to Crafts by Pam Scheunemann shares a host of ideas for kids (ages 9-12) to creatively reuse discarded/unwanted objects. The suggested projects have clear instructions and pictures to make things easy to follow for young readers. Upcycling: Creating Beautiful Things with the Stuff You Already Have by Danny Seo offers over one hundred upcycling projects for adults. Danny Seo has actually become a staple on daytime television. He has made several appearances on the Drew Barrymore Show and has also appeared on Today and Tamron Hall. Typically, Seo shows audiences sustainable and eco-friendly ways to improve their cooking, cleaning, and general wellness. Seo’s book is filled with gorgeous full-color photos as well as easy to follow instructions.

Upcycling and zero waste living are part of a general green movement that seeks to create an ecologically sustainable society. Our library system has a lot of books geared toward green living. What’s the Point of Being Green by Jacqui Bailey is a kid’s book (ages 9-12) that covers a few green issues and why they are important, including energy efficiency, climate change, and recycling. Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-friendly Life by Linda Sivertsen and Tosh Sivertsen is a young adult book (age 12+) discussing some of the most urgent issues affecting the planet and offering ways young people can make a difference. This book also includes interviews with teenagers involved with green causes. Green Living: A Sustainable Guide to a More Intentional Life by Jen Chillingsworth gives suggestions for changes individuals can make to their lives over a year. This includes buying vintage, giving up plastics, celebrating simply, and living a more modest, but meaningful life.

The books I’ve mentioned here are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this topic. We have books on upcycling books and furniture, specifically. Books such as Upcycling Books: Decorative Objects by Julia Rubio and Upcycling Furniture & Home Décor for Dummies by Judy Rom. We have easy board books on the green movement (infant-3 years) such as Change Starts with Us by Sophie Beer. Whether you want to begin to make some life changes or you’re just curious about green living, the Mercer County Library System is prepared to provide what you need!

- by Shanna C., Acquisitions and Cataloging