In this addition to the Orca Footprints nonfiction series, author Leah Payne explores environmental waste produced by our generation and discusses ways humans can reduce their personal waste footprint. The book highlights the 4Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) and gives concrete examples of ways families can reduce their waste, including avoiding disposable drink cups, using refillable water bottles and lunch containers, shopping in thrift stores and vintage boutiques, selecting books from the Little Free Libraries, reusing overripe fruits and vegetables into smoothies and soups, and composting food scraps.

With parent cooperation, children can perform a home waste audit by exploring their garbage and recycling bins, categorizing their contents, and creating a family plan with creative waste reduction solutions. There are many examples for classrooms and schools to develop waste consciousness, such as by forming a Green Club, starting a recycling program, and organizing schoolyard litter pickup. Classroom discussions can begin with the spotlights on young Canadian low-waste activists.

Other End Matter: Glossary
Images: Colour photographs, charts, tables
Bibliography: Yes
Index: Yes

Evaluator: Lisa S., High School Librarian, BC Books for Schools

Leah Payne is a writer, editor and mother. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Simon Fraser University and a master’s degree in library and information studies (MLIS) from the University of British Columbia. She is the author of Less Is More: Join the Low-Waste Movement in the Orca Footprints series. Leah lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she loves spending time in nature with her family.

Leah Payne's profile page

• Short-listed, The Nature Generation Green Earth Book Award - Children’s Nonfiction
• Commended, Children's Book Council Teacher Favorites Award 3rd - 5th Grade
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection

“A very enlightening and inspiring book. Payne includes ideas that will appeal to all ages. An accessible, fun, and useful book that will give middle schoolers interested in the environment increased knowledge of waste reduction and strategies to act on that interest.”

Friends Journal

“Orca provides its usual perfectly matched-to-topic photography and helpful sidebars...Young environmental champions will have everything they need to continue on their paths to being better citizens and do their parts to support the Low Impact and Zero Waste movements.”

Erica Sommer

“Writing with a friendly tone, Payne offers facts and occasional statistics about the problems created by high-waste societies and addresses herself to kids and families who want to become part of the solution through individual decisions and actions… A very readable, practical addition to Orca’s Footprint series on environmental issues.”

Booklist

“Very worthy of purchase. Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Gives many ways to make just ordinary, daily tasks a lower waste process…A perfect introduction to anyone who wants to understand how much waste is being handled every day, and how, if we all just do our part, we can all make a contribution to end much of our waste, and become part of the Low-Waste Movement.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)