Beyond Recycling: A Re-user's Guide: 336 Practical Tips to Save Money and Protect the Environment [Paperback]

Kathy Stein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997

"Kathy Stein's ideas and suggestions are not just good for the environment, they're great for your wallet, too. That's a win-win combination anybody can live with. By highlighting the need to re-use, Ms. Stein is one of the first authors to confront the real environmental issue facing our society -- the need to consume less, not just recycle more". (Bob Lilienfeld, Editor, The Use Less Stuff Report)

"This volume is information rich, thoughtfully organized and highly useful". (Melissa Everett, Global Action Plan)

Kathy Stein's convenient guide describes 336 simple, practical ways to re-use 70 types of common products -- most of them not recyclable and currently adding to our already overflowing landfills. This book also helps readers locate businesses and non-profit organizations that re-use a wide range of products, as well as outlets for re-usable products. Beyond Recycling offers specifics on dozens of ways for consumers to save money, including new uses for old products, low-cost alternatives to disposables, and tips on maintaining appliances, vehicles, computers, and furnishings. A guide for the nineties, Beyond Recycling shows how to save money through common-sense choices that contribute to a sustainable lifestyle.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

As the commitment to recycling grows, many enthusiastic households look for additional ways to advance the environmental movement. Stein's book will help them move to the next level. It offers over 300 tips for reusing everyday items and promotes innovative programs like We Care, the dry-cleaning program that replaces plastic bags with reusable fabric garment bags. Stein, an environmental activist and technical writer, presents her readable, practical ideas in an organized fashion. Alphabetical arrangement makes her book easy to use, and helpful resources are included at the end of many tips. Appendixes also include lists of relevant publications and organizations. Environmentally friendly and cost-saving tips are always popular, but reuse is not a new concept. Books on the green lifestyle and frugality proliferate and include many of the ideas presented here. Recommended for public libraries wishing to update their collections.?Bonnie Poquette, Appleton P.L., Wis.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: Clear Light Pub (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940666928
• ISBN-13: 978-0940666924
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,733,055 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Science & Math > Environment > Recycling

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Recycling-review, December 14, 1999

By 

Janis B Parsons - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond Recycling: A Re-user's Guide: 336 Practical Tips to Save Money and Protect the Environment (Paperback)

This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in going a step further than just recycling. Organized by products, she gives valuable information about alternatives to many everyday products plus some new uses, as well as names of companies that make, use or process recyclables.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Another useful guide, but nothing groundbreaking, May 10, 2005

By 

Kelly Garbato "www.easyvegan.info" (Kearney, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond Recycling: A Re-user's Guide: 336 Practical Tips to Save Money and Protect the Environment (Paperback)

During the course of researching an upcoming book on environmental issues, I've been required to read a number of practical guides on saving money while protecting the environment. Many of these books follow the same cookie-cutter format: group the advice into themes, for example, room-by-room; begin each entry with a vague overview of the dilemma; present advice to help stem the problem; and conclude by offering a list of additional resources. "Beyond Recycling" is no exception: its tips are grouped in an encyclopedic format, with entries organized A to Z; each section begins by briefly describing the environmental issue in one to four short paragraphs, then counters with several tips to help combat the problem; and usually ends with a few "Helpful Resources" that interested readers can follow up on.

The author succeeds in providing her audience with "336 Practical Tips" to "Save Money and Protect the Environment." The book is a good resource for those who want quick, practical, and efficient tips to conserve cash and help the planet. The entries are nicely organized so that information can be found quickly and without much searching. Although the grouping of the tips is self-explanatory, Ms. Stein really should have included an index as well, as some of the advice could be given more than one title, and some of the entries deal with more than one issue/activity. However, this is a minor point, particularly since the volume is relatively short and straightforward.

A bigger complaint I have with this guide (and most other environmental "how-to" books) is the author's failure to document her claims. Although I consider myself an avid environmentalist and have no doubts that we're steadily spoiling the earth, I'm also wise enough to acknowledge that many of my peers don't share my sentiments (isn't that why we're in this mess?). While those who are already concerned with environmental issues might not question these sort of general, unreferenced statements, such arguments won't succeed in convincing more skeptical readers that there is indeed a problem that needs to be addressed. Of course, I realize that these types of guides are targeted at the former audience, but it would be a nice bonus if "nature nerds" such as myself could also use them to persuade our disbelieving friends and family.

5.0 out of 5 stars beyond recycling, September 24, 2011

By 

Nailer155 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beyond Recycling: A Re-user's Guide: 336 Practical Tips to Save Money and Protect the Environment (Paperback)

Good book,another book that has valuable ideas not just for the tree huggers but for the everyday household. some of the ideas I was already aware of and others not. my familly is also reading it and we will change some of our ideas accordingly.