Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I am always looking for new ways to reduce my carbon footprint and make a difference. I even considered this when choosing where to retire. I grew up in this lifestyle before there was a cutesy description -- waste not, want not. And based on the reviews, I decided to purchase it. BIG MISTAKE!!!! What I should have done was gone to the local library to see if they carried it because quite frankly IT'S NOT WORTH IT. I thought it would be a good addition to my "green lifestyle" library. There is possible 12 pages of good ideas in this book. None of them new. Just basic good ideas based on old-fashioned common sense. Most of them in one shape or another have been around since the Mayflower arrived. If you truly want to make a difference and are looking for good resources find a copy of the Whole Earth Catalog, it might be old; however, it has stood the test of time. Additional resources are the Encyclopedia of Country Living, Organic Housekeeping, and my favorite -- the Complete Tightwad Gazette -- it might be dated; however, it still has a wealth of ideas that will help you. She talks about how she saves time pursuing zero waste compared to her old life style. What time savings? All she has done is exchange one busy lifestyle for another busy lifestyle trying to achieve zero-waste. This is definitely NOT how I want to live my life. There are far more important things in life than staying perpetually busy. I made it past some of her suggestions that I found totally irresponsible from a medical point of view. If you want to make your own toothpaste, consult your dentist first to find out what damage you might be inflicting on your teeth. If you want to try permanent eyeliner so you don't have to make your own, be aware of the dangers that permanent makeup (tattoos) presents if you need an MRI. Plus, I found her comment that you are chicken if you do not consider permanent makeup to be condescending at the very least. You can find far more, and in my opinion, better DIY cleaning recipes on-line. If you are truly interested in a zero-waste lifestyle, Google it and you will find a treasure trove of common sense information that is more attainable while also helping you have a QUALITY life. I finally quit reading it at page 157 when she detailed how they selected their dog because his coat was the same color as their floor!!??!! In my opinion, this book will not stand the test of time. The lack of viable research to back up her assertions is deplorable at best. Her claim that she reduced her trash to a single quart jar is nothing but smoking mirrors when you stop and think about the cradle to grave process. Somewhere along the line someone is disposing of the packaging for the items she purchases, even when buying in bulk. Zero waste is a fallacy at best. Zero waste is only valid WHEN coupled with evaluating your carbon footprint, supporting sustainability and practicing sound environmental practices.