Earth911 Podcast, Nov. 23, 2018: Author Beth Porter Of Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine

Beth Porter, Climate and Recycling Director at Green America, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit, has studied the recycling system carefully. In her new book, Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine: Sorting Out the Recycling System, Porter challenges established thinking and recounts the history of the single-stream recycling system introduced decades ago in the United States. With recycling rates stuck near 34 percent in the United States, and in the face of China's National Sword contaminated recycled materials ban, the country needs to establish a new recycling ethos. Porter also reintroduces an important American story about Scrap For Victory recycling campaigns during World War II that galvanized the homefront. Children, adults, communities, and companies pulled together to gather scrap metal to produce planes and tanks to fight the war. Why can't we make the same shared commitment today? Beth Porter thinks we can. Tune in to hear this inspiring conversation.