Waste and Recycling

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

Before throwing something away, ask yourself if it can be reused or recycled. The focus of the titles in the "Green Team" series is recycling. Readers learn the difference between non-renewable and renewable materials. The book challenges readers and calls them to action. For example, Hewitt suggests composting as a way to handle the garden and food waste. Other examples include turning cooking oil into a biofuel, recycling paper, a large portion of our waste, and reusing old clothing in many ways, such as giving it to others if it is in good condition, composting it if it is a natural fiber, and recycling it into other items. Plastics certainly offer a bigger challenge. Some are now photodegradable, while others can be recycled into new plastic products or used to create construction materials. Metals, like plastics, are also good candidates for recycling, especially aluminum cans. The major activity at the close of this text calls for families to set up recycling bins and take materials to a collection sites. We can all make a difference if we try. Each title in the series closes with a glossary, a list of approximately six appropriate websites, and an index. This is a well-written and informative series. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot