Gone Tomorrow: The Hidden Life of Garbage Paperback – September 1, 2006

When I purchased this book, I thought it might add to my store of trivia knowlege, sort of a fun little look at something most of us never think about. I expected to describe it with words like "nifty." This book was not what I expected, and I'm glad.This book was an engrossing discussion of how the nature and quantity of consumer garbage (as opposed to industrial waste) has changed. Beginning with the Industrial Revolution and moving up through today, this book considers the ways in which government policy and the corporate profit motive create a socity in which garbage - lots and lots of garbage - is inevitable, and why even the best-intentioned efforts at recycling barely make a dent in the mountain of trash.I have a professional background in economics, and so I got a great deal out of some of Rogers' arguements that were based in economic theory. However, her simple, straightforward style makes it easy for anyone to follow her reasoning.The subtitle, The Hidden Life of Garbage, was misleading. Perhaps a better subtitle might have been The History and Social Implications of Garbage. Although that sounds a bit scholarly, this book, while extremely well researched, did not read at all like a textbook. Rather it was an approachable discussion of why garbage occurs and why the current solutions are not working.A must-read for anyone who cares about planet Earth, whether they are chaining themselves to trees or just recycling their soda can!

Fascinating look at the history of waste disposal in the United States by settlers. Highly recommended. Most people did not know or care where their trash goes each week. It's important to pay attention.

I found the free Kindle sample fascinating despite the author's flair for using creepy words, so I ordered a used paperback copy of this book. Most people probably don't give enough thought to reducing the waste they produce and don't think about where their garbage winds up. Unfortunately, after the informative beginning, the book turns into what is often a political rant. The author takes a dim view of capitalism as a whole and certain groups in particular. One especially offensive example is in chapter 8 where the author blames local residents (residents!) for the eventual export of New York City's garbage to other sites after the gigantic Fresh Kills Landfill near their neighborhoods finally ran out of space. At 2,200 acres, once the largest man-made structure in the world and visible from orbit, and having served as NYC's main garbage dump for over 50 years, I'd say those particular residents had served their time hosting the enormous dump. And she doesn't mince words: "...Staten Island's majority white and Republican residents... shed their putrefying, filthy burden onto less politically powerful rural areas. They also shoved the mess onto neighborhoods..." What? After over 50 years and 2,200 acres of garbage nearby? The residents themselves got shovels and "shoved the mess"? Come on. This rant is very unfair and extreme, and was a total turn-off imo.The valid concerns she expresses about the waste problems we face would be better taken without the political bluster. All in all, there are much better books available if you want to learn more about how our garbage is handled and ways to reduce it.

This book is easy to read, flows very well and clearly outlines its' content and case-by-case accounts. . Excellent resource for any student studying the impact garbage has on our environment - it was required reading for an Environmental Science college class and it would definitely meet the needs of most similar class curriculum's (i.e. Sustainability etc). It's also a personal eye-opener for anyone wondering where our trash goes and how corporations should take responsibility regarding their 'trash'. As human populations explode, one day there will be be more billions of tons of trash with no place to put it and the very real problem of disposing of such (especially non-biodegradable items) will be an epidemic concern. You owe it to yourself to read this book.

I purchased this book for class. I was surprised to actually enjoy reading it. I thought it would be boring but the more I read, the more I enjoyed it. The book is an eye opener and explains how our politicians (local, state, federal) and corporations sold us and the environment out. To this day we are being sold out. Luckily thanks to new legislation we are finally making it a little better. I recommend this book if you are a history buff. Great reading and lots of information that everyone needs to know. This book should be required reading in high school.

Using this book for Recycling & Resource Management 1 class. It is amazing and horrifying to learn about what happens to our waste and especially how we got to where we are now. Very much looking forward to using this history to develop and apply solutions!

I'd recommend this to anyone going into the field of conservation, waste management, or even if you just want to be more informed. If everyone in the country read this, the U.S. would be a much cleaner place.

A must read for every consumer. An excellent historical summary of trash. Forces one to reevaluate our current system and demand greater accountability not only from ourselves but more importantly from the industries that are selling our future for profit.

The author Rogers is a classic marxist who quotes Marx and uses garbage as a way to criticize capitalism. She makes the case that the house of capitalism is built on a foundation of trash. Her bais has her exaggerate the shortcomings and understate the success of free enterprise. Example being is the post war economic boom in the United States. The author describes this time as controlled by a cabal of deceptive men selling bad products making garbage and understates the economic success that brought people out of poverty.In one part of the book she does say that aluminum is a good thing but in another describes at great length how single use one way beverage containers are garbage. Some good bits are the history of waste removal and the metal cork lined bottle cap .This she calls the first single use throw away. But the metal is recyclable and the caps make good pieces for mosaic floors. And Saran wrap gets a mention.Her solution for waste is to reduce production by regulating resource development. Marxist controlled economies never worked and the two remaining examples of Cuba and N Korea prove that point. The author criticizes green enterprise, but approves of people choosing to reduce personal consumption. She does support producer responsibility for the end life of packaging. Examples of bottle refill systems are described.The dedication to all who work in the waste industry had me hoping that she put on some PPE and worked a sorting line; but no, another marxist elite.I was hoping for a nerdy look at waste management from a manager's perspective to learn info to find solutions to the problem of waste removal that does not involve forced poverty onto the working class. To reframe waste as a resource to make money, and to reduce pollution. To that end this book has a part.

useful review of the history of garbage and management of garbage in the USA