The Waste and the Backyard


Book Description

Controversies concerning the siting of facilities for the disposal and treatment of hazardous but also domestic waste are widespread in all of the industrialized countries. The paradoxical situation of projects that are needed for environmental reasons and are opposed on environmental grounds has been addressed by scholars and by policy-makers searching for solutions. However, only in a few cases have waste disposal facilities actually been built and made operational. The aim of the book (which illustrates the results of a research project financed by the EU-DGXII) is to investigate the decision-making processes for the siting and creation of waste facilities, in order to identify the factors for predicting success. Adopting a Public Policy Analysis approach the book presents six cases of successful decision-making on waste facilities siting in France, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Slovenia, drawing lessons for the redefinition of public policy-making in the field of waste treatment. The conclusions of this book are interesting for all fields of public policy where conflict is a relevant problem. This book is also of interest to scholars in the environmental field, as well as in public policy analysis, and to practitioners and (public or private) actors involved in environmental policy.




Whose Backyard, Whose Risk


Book Description

In Whose Backyard, Whose Risk, environmental lawyer, professor, and commentator Michael B. Gerrard tackles the thorny issue of how and where to dispose of hazardous and radioactive waste. In Whose Backyard, Whose Risk, environmental lawyer, professor, and commentator Michael B. Gerrard tackles the thorny issue of how and where to dispose of hazardous and radioactive waste. Gerrard, who has represented dozens of municipalities and community groups that have fought landfills and incinerators, as well as companies seeking permits, clearly and succinctly analyzes a problem that has generated a tremendous amount of political conflict, emotional anguish, and transaction costs. He proposes a new system of waste disposal that involves local control, state responsibility, and national allocation to deal comprehensively with multiple waste streams. Gerrard draws on the literature of law, economics, political science, and other disciplines to analyze the domestic and international origins of wastes and their disposal patterns. Based on a study of the many failures and few successes of past siting efforts, he identifies the mistaken assumptions and policy blunders that have helped doom siting efforts. Gerrard first describes the different kinds of nonradioactive and radioactive wastes and how each is generated and disposed of. He explains historical and current siting decisions and considers the effects of the current mechanisms for making those decisions (including the hidden economics and psychology of the siting process). A typology of permit rules reveals the divergence between what underlies most siting disputes and what environmental laws actually protect. Gerrard then looks at proposals for dealing with the siting dilemma and examines the successes and failures of each. He outlines a new alternative for facility siting that combines a political solution and a legal framework for implementation. A hypothetical example of how a siting decision might be made in a particular case is presented in an epilogue.




Not in My Backyard


Book Description




Waste


Book Description

The MacArthur grant–winning environmental justice activist’s riveting memoir of a life fighting for a cleaner future for America’s most vulnerable A Smithsonian Magazine Top Ten Best Science Book of 2020 Catherine Coleman Flowers, a 2020 MacArthur “genius,” grew up in Lowndes County, Alabama, a place that’s been called “Bloody Lowndes” because of its violent, racist history. Once the epicenter of the voting rights struggle, today it’s Ground Zero for a new movement that is also Flowers’s life’s work—a fight to ensure human dignity through a right most Americans take for granted: basic sanitation. Too many people, especially the rural poor, lack an affordable means of disposing cleanly of the waste from their toilets and, as a consequence, live amid filth. Flowers calls this America’s dirty secret. In this “powerful and moving book” (Booklist), she tells the story of systemic class, racial, and geographic prejudice that foster Third World conditions not just in Alabama, but across America, in Appalachia, Central California, coastal Florida, Alaska, the urban Midwest, and on Native American reservations in the West. In this inspiring story of the evolution of an activist, from country girl to student civil rights organizer to environmental justice champion at Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative, Flowers shows how sanitation is becoming too big a problem to ignore as climate change brings sewage to more backyards—not only those of poor minorities.




The Backyard Homesteader


Book Description

Delve into the world of self-reliance and sustainable living with "The Backyard Homesteader," your comprehensive guide to transforming any outdoor space into a thriving, eco-friendly haven. This treasure trove of practical advice is the essential resource for anyone dreaming of producing their own food, decreasing their carbon footprint, and forging a deeper connection with the Earth. Discover the secrets behind the homesteading mindset, and learn how to recognize the abundant opportunities nestled in your own backyard. From the introductory pages detailing the essence of homesteading and the benefits it brings, to the nuanced understanding of your local ecosystem, this eBook lays the groundwork for an authentic homesteading experience. Embark on a journey through meticulous planning as you're guided through assessing your unique space, designing a thoughtful layout, and navigating the legalities and communal aspects of your homesteading adventure. Unearth the building blocks of healthy soil with chapters dedicated to composting, soil fertility, and vermicomposting, ensuring your garden thrives from the ground up. Watch your homesteading visions come to life with chapters on organic gardening, tackling techniques like no-till farming, crop rotation, and natural pest control. Harness the genius of raised bed gardening and container crops for spaces large and small, and learn to extend your growing season with specialized strategies. "The Backyard Homesteader" doesn't stop there; it takes you further into the realms of water conservation, perennial plant mastery, establishing a home orchard, and even keeping small livestock that enrich the web of life in your back garden. As your homestead blossoms, savor the fruits of your labor with detailed guides on preserving your harvest, engaging in DIY natural remedy making, implementing renewable energy solutions, and constructing practical structures that enhance the functionality and beauty of your homestead. From the enthusiast in a suburban lot to the visionary in a compact urban setting, this eBook is an ally to all aspiring homesteaders. Immerse yourself in community and urban challenges, adapt techniques for small spaces, manage homestead finances, flow with the seasons, and even undertake advanced homesteading projects like aquaponics and mushroom cultivation. Transformative, insightful, and endlessly informative, "The Backyard Homesteader" stands as your portal to a more self-sufficient life. Open the door to a future where homesteading and modern living not only coexist but complement each other, paving the way to a legacy of sustainability for generations to come. Set down roots with this guide and grow not just a garden, but a lifestyle brimming with vitality and harmony.




No-Waste Composting


Book Description

In No-Waste Composting, you’ll discover the hows and whys of composting and find over a dozen practical step-by-step plans for building both indoor and outdoor composting systems that require a minimal amount of space. “I don’t have enough space to compost.” “I don’t know what’s safe to compost and what isn’t.” “I live in the city, so I don’t think I can compost.” “Indoor composting systems are smelly.” “I don’t have a garden, so I don’t need to compost.” If any of these is your excuse for not composting, then this is the book for you! Small-space composting has never been easier, more efficient, and more eco-friendly. Composting keeps millions of tons of waste out of landfills and creates carbon-sequestering, nutrient-dense compost that can be used to help fuel plant growth (including houseplants!) and build soil health. Build a DIY worm-composting system for a cupboard or garage Craft a layered, under-the-sink composting system from terra cotta pots Construct a simple outdoor compost bin from repurposed wooden pallets Use upcycled wire fencing to build a mobile composting system on the driveway Learn how to compost larger sticks and branches to build new food and flower gardens Upcycle a plastic bucket to make an indoor compost fermenting system Plus, you’ll find plans to keep cat and dog waste out of the landfill by using a groundbreaking (and safe) DIY composting system. And if you don’t garden, author and composting professional Michelle Balz offers plenty of other ways you can utilize the wonderful, crumbly compost you create. Whether you’re just starting your no-waste journey or you’re a seasoned recycling and repurposing pro, No-Waste Composting is an invaluable tool to have at your side. This book is part of the Cool Springs Press No-Waste Gardening series, which also includes No-Waste Kitchen Gardening and No-Waste Organic Gardening.




Garbage Helps Our Garden Grow


Book Description

What is that garbage doing next to the garden? It’s not garbage. It’s compost! Amazing things happen inside a compost bin. In go banana peels, grass clippings, and even an old jack-o’-lantern. Out comes compost. The compost goes into the garden to make the soil rich for new plants. Compost is good for the earth. Composting also helps us make less garbage. In this book, you can watch as one family makes compost for their garden and also learn how to start your very own compost bin!




In Our Backyard


Book Description

This is a welcome answer to the public's desire to know about the environment. Without taking sides, it addresses vital questions on everything from drinking water quality to the cost of toxic controls and cleanups. The information is up-to-date and complete, and the format is designed to be accessible. A question-and-answer format is employed for clarity and compactness, and topics are covered in a rising progression of complexity.




The Backyard Chicken Keeper's Handbook


Book Description

Attention all aspiring backyard chicken keepers! Are you looking to upgrade your backyard and experience the joys of raising your very own flock of chickens? Look no further than The Backyard Chicken Keeper's Handbook, the ultimate guide to getting started with chicken keeping from scratch. With over 300 pages of comprehensive and engaging content, this eBook is the perfect companion for new and veteran backyard chicken enthusiasts alike. From choosing the perfect breed for your lifestyle and prepping your backyard, to understanding chicken health and behavior, this handbook covers everything you need to know to become an expert in chicken keeping. Discover the essentials of chicken coop construction and learn how to keep your flock well-fed with nutritious diets and clean water sources. Learn how to integrate new chickens into your flock and manage predators like a pro. With chapters on sustainable chicken keeping practices, waste management, and gardening with chicken manure, this handbook truly covers it all. Did we mention the eggs? With tips on managing egg production, harvesting and cooking with fresh eggs, and even decoding chicken communication, you'll be a pro in no time. But the best part? Getting to experience the rewards of backyard chicken keeping firsthand – enjoy organic eggs from your own backyard, bond with your new feathered friends, and indulge in the simple pleasures of farm life. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your existing flock, The Backyard Chicken Keeper's Handbook is a must-have resource for any chicken keeper. So grab a copy today and get ready to join the millions of people worldwide who have discovered the joys of backyard chicken keeping!




The Backyard Beekeeper, 4th Edition


Book Description

Features information about bees, beeswax, and the modern rules of beekeeping with do-it-yourself tips for safe and fun beekeeping.