A review by schopflin
Rummage: A History of the Things We Have Reused, Recycled and Refused to Let Go by Emily Cockayne

informative medium-paced

4.0

This book does not quite deliver on the promise of the opening chapter, which suggests a deeper exploration into the societal ethics behind our decisions to re-use, recycle and chuck objects once we can't or won't use them anymore. However, it is instead, a history of the industrial and other processes by which we recycled and repurposed. The book takes a reverse chronological approach, sometimes focusing in on certain moments: 20th century agricultural developments that led to the BSE crisis, the two world wars, the dissolution of the monasteries, sometimes pure industrial history. It is well-written and funny and highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of daily life