Laura P. (hemmputnam) reviewed Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale on + 1152 more book reviews
Nonfiction at its best! Not only was there a compelling description of what happens to all that stuff you donate, but there were well explained recommendations about how to improve current systems. I will be thinking about the total cost of ownership (can you repair it, will it have resale value) rather than the first cost (what the pricetag says) from now on. It's encouraging to learn that there are people out there working to make reuse a viable option from the iFixit website to TV repairmen in Africa.
Elizabeth R. (esjro) -
In Secondhand, author Adam Minter sets out to investigate where America's donated, recycled and abandoned stuff (clothing, books, electronics, etc.) ends up. Though some items are resold or recycled domestically, much of it winds up south of the border or even on other continents, where developing countries are willing to repair or repurpose American's junk.
Secondhand is a quick read, and surprisingly light... maybe too light. The author is very optimistic. My only criticism of this book is that it seems to downplay or at least not give enough attention to the environmental impact of consumer culture.
Secondhand is a quick read, and surprisingly light... maybe too light. The author is very optimistic. My only criticism of this book is that it seems to downplay or at least not give enough attention to the environmental impact of consumer culture.
