Frances Cairncross - Burying the Evidence

Frances Cairncross: Burying the Evidence

After reading Waste Wars by Alexander Clapp, one's perception of throwing away items like plastic bags or old mobile phones will likely change. The question remains, where do these items end up? Clapp provides alarming answers, detailing the routes that waste takes from the rich world to the poor.

The book describes how the more difficult an item is to genuinely recycle, the higher the likelihood it will end up in sub-Saharan Africa. As rich countries became more environmentally conscious, they promoted recycling. However, not all waste can be easily recycled, unlike organic materials such as unwanted cabbage leaves.

Where do you think they end up?

Waste often ends up in sub-Saharan Africa if it's difficult to recycle.
Rich countries' shift towards environmental sensitivity led to increased recycling efforts.

Alexander Clapp's book, Waste Wars: Dirty Deals, International Rivalries and the Scandalous Afterlife of Rubbish, sheds light on the disturbing truth about waste disposal.

Author's summary: Waste Wars reveals the dark side of waste disposal.

Literary Review — 2025-11-02

Frances Cairncross: Burying the Evidence

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