Reviews (27)

The proof is in your hands
Proof that our technologically advanced, high-consumption industrial system can make environmentally sound and sustainable products. We can manufacture a whole range of goods that are ecologically efficient in that they reduce waste and yet are less expensive to make than traditionally manufactured items. Pick up CRADLE TO CRADLE and the proof is right there in your hands. "This book is not a tree" the authors tell us. Its slightly heavier than your average paperback, the pages are whiter and they're also waterproof (I took the authors word on that one and am happy to say I was able to read on). The pages are made from plastic resins and fillers and in keeping with the message of "eliminating waste", the book is 100% recyclable.

McDonough and Braungart's vision of "Remaking the Way We Make Things" goes way beyond books. Why not buildings that produce more energy than they consume? Or "green" roofs that give off oxygen while cooling the occupants? How about factories that produce drinkable effluent? or products that when their useful life is over can be used as nutrients for soil? What sounds like science fiction is convincingly shown to be quite feasible by the authors. They offer numerous examples to prove it.

"We see a world of abundance, not limits" they say. As an architect (McDonough) and chemist (Braungart) they don't have any special qualifications for this re-thinking and re-doing. What they simply have done is re-imagine the whole manufacturing process beginning with the design elements. Sometimes it's simply a matter of asking the right questions and looking at things differently. They are not talking about smaller-scale industry or limiting themselves to the "four R's" of traditional environmentalism - reuse, recycle, reduce, and regulate. With their intelligent designs, "bigger and better" is possible "in a way that replenishes, restores, and nourishes the rest of the world."

McDonough and Braungart cover topics such as the history of the industrial revolution, new business strategies that emphasize eco-efficiency, the relationship between man, nature, and science, and the importance of design and planning. Hopeful, well written, thoroughly researched, and packed with practical examples, this refreshing book offers an alternative to our current industrial system that "takes, makes and wastes". We have the talent, technology, and with the enthusiasm of these authors, we have the capability to achieve economic and ecological sustainability.

People and their stuff CAN co-exist
At 1-1/4 lbs, "Cradle to Cradle" is more than twice as heavy as a same-size paperback edition of John Steinbeck's "The Winter of Our Discontent" and the fact is more than incidental.

"Remaking the Way We Make Things", the book's subtitle, is the social agenda of its authors, architect Bill McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart. They take issue with the three R's of environmentalism, "reduce, reuse and recycle." The process by which plastic bottles are recycled into carpet, for example, also produces considerable waste and the carpet itself "is still on its way to a landfill; it's just stopping off in your house en route."

The authors advocate designing products so that after their useful lives, either the product components provide biological nutrients for new products or circulate in a closed industrial loop.

The Yanomamo of Brazil whose banana soup dish may contain the ashes of their dearly departed was one source of inspiration for Braungart and McDonough was moved by the simple, natural and effective technology of the Bedouin whose goat hair tents ventilate hot air up and out and, when it rains, swell with absorbed moisture and provide protection.

The authors are walking the talk with the physical design of this new book. It is made of a waterproof polymer developed by Melcher Media so it can be read in the bath or at the beach, provided you have sufficient wrist strength to hoist it to viewing level. And the book can be "upcycled", made into a high quality polymer, at least theoretically. Until such time, place this book on the shelf above your hot tub next to Aqua Erotica, a collection of stories dealing with water and sex, another book of "Durabook" construction.

Undoubtedly, an electronic edition of the book would be most eco-effective. Also, a digital version would be searchable and might compensate for lack of an index. Despite its flaws as a model, it offers a vision of the future in which people and their stuff can co-exist.

Highly Recommended!
This is an extraordinary and unlikely book. It is not printed on paper, but on a waterproof polymer with the heft of good paper and more strength, a substance that reflects the right amount of light, yet holds the ink fast. It seems like an impossible fantasy, but so does much of what the authors propose about design and ecology. They speak with the calm certainty of the ecstatic visionary. Could buildings generate oxygen like trees? Could running shoes release nutrients into the earth? It seems like science fiction. Yet, here is this book, on this paper. The authors make a strong case for change, and just when you're about to say, "if only," they cite a corporation that is implementing their ideas. However, it's hard to believe their concepts would work on a large scale, in the face of powerful economic disincentives. We believe authors do aim some of their criticism at obsolete marketing and manufacturing philosophies, but the overall critique is well worth reading.

Interesting ideas
This book is a sometimes interesting, often meandering treatise on design. The authors, and American architect and a German chemist, have a very sincere desire to realign the world of design of objects and buildings so that they contribute to the betterment of the environment rather than destroy it. The title of the book "Cradle to Cradle" encapsulates their goal of designing objects that when they are no longer needed, naturally become useful inputs for the production of other objects rather than getting sent to the grave (or buried in a landfill). For example, they would like to see the creation of food packaging that could be thrown on the ground when the contents are consumed and would become fertilizer rather than non-biodegradable litter. (By this measure, the women concessionaires selling steamed rice treats in Indonesian trains are masters of design. The rice is both steamed and packaged in banana leafs, which are simply thrown out the train windows once the rice is consumed. But this practice also creates enormous problems- -since Indonesians have been accustomed to using such environmentally beneficial packaging for generations, they assume that "modern" packaging can be discarded in the same manner, much to the detriment of the Indonesian countryside. If you are living in a world of mixed packaging, some of which can be thrown out the window, and some of which must be discarded by other means, it's hard to keep straight which stuff goes where. That's a vital cultural issue that the authors don't explore here.)

McDounough and Braungart list the goals for their design program. They challenge inventors and industry leaders to design factories that "produce more energy than they consume, and purify their own waste water," and products that "can be tossed on the ground to decompose" or become "high-quality raw materials for new products" rather than simply "down-cycled". At the outset, these goals can sound a bit far-fetched. After, all, a factory that produces more energy than it consumes would seem to violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics. But what the authors really mean here is not that the factory would miraculously produce something from nothing, but that the design of the factory would include such things as solar collectors on the roof and devices to capture heat that could then send energy back out to the power grid, perhaps even in excess of electrical energy coming in. They illustrate their lofty dreams with concrete designs that they have helped develop and implement, such as a cosmetics plant in Germany whose wastewater is actually cleaner than the water coming in to the plant, thanks to the new chemical formulations they recommended. What's more, they point out that such design efforts can be even be good for business, since in this particular example, the company was able to cut costs on hazardous materials handling and storage enough to more than offset slightly increased production costs with the new formulas. Such design efforts are fabulous examples of the potential benefits of thinking "out of the box".

The book contains quite a few additional examples of brilliant design ideas that can save resources as well as money. The book is also filled with surprising tidbits that haven't become general knowledge yet, like the potential hazards of wearing fabric made of recycled plastic bottles, and the fact that PET bottles were found to leach antimony when used as soap containers. The authors point out that the decision to use either recycled paper or virgin paper is not as clear cut as it seems- -while the production of virgin paper necessitates the cutting down of trees, recycling paper requires enormous amounts of bleaching, which produces PCBs. To demonstrate an alternative, the book itself is printed on a paper-free composite of plastics, which could be easily recycled into more book-grade plastics. The informative details and design goals of the book are quite interesting. However, the text often meanders around and through topics that are at best tangential or described better in other volumes. At times, some details or issues are also rehashed repetitively. In these places, it would have been better to focus on explicating McDonough and Braungart's own design program more fully. They've got some neat ideas that are well worth exploring, and it would have been great to be able to read even more about them and less about the general problems of environmental destruction that are described better in other books.

Every student of design should read this book
I am a graduate student in a school of architecture that talks alot about doing 'sustainable design' and the 'green' architecture that has become a fad of late. This book makes the designer think not about efficiently designing buildings, but efficiently designing MATERIALS to eliminate the dangers that are inherent to the chemistry of almost every modern building product. It was an eye-opening read for me and has changed the way i think about 'sustainable design' and what the true goal of 'green' architecture should be. ... Read more

Book Description

* Includes new chapters on soil and groundwater remediation, water filtration system technology, and bottled water supplies; plus new sections on food safety and environmental security.
* Features new expert contributors such as Nelson Nemerow, Franklin Agardy, George Tehachangolow, Pier Armenante, and Anthony Walbarst. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Environmental Engineering and Sanitation
I am trying to find out who signed for isbn#047141813. We never got this book.

Please respond Diane Leathers

GREATEST ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING BOOK
GREAT!!!!!

94 S: Excellent Resource, Environmental Health professionals
I have just reviewed the ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND SANITATION 1994 SUPPLEMENT, by Joseph A. Salvato and Joe E. Beck. It's a great resource for professionals seeking a broader vision of environmental health practice areas and where we are heading. Prof. Beck obviously put a lot of work into conceptualizing this volume and working with the distinguished contributors. It shows. In particular, I found the first chapter, Stakeholder Focused Interactive Planning (SFIP)by Joe Beck and Steven Ison to be a brilliant piece on the desirability of (indeed, the imperative for our profession to) include the public in problem-solving and planning. I have used this process and mediated disputes ranging from siting controversies (haz. waste facility siting in Massachusetts) to determining future land use options at Hanford in the nuclear weapons complex. I commend both Beck and Ison for their clear portrayal of the paradigm as well as the steps one undertakes in conducting such planning. Federal government engineers and planners have been learning the hard way about what happens when decisions are made without public input and without regard to the values, interests, and expectations of so-called stakeholders. At Hanford, more than $20 billion in appropriations has yielded preciously little in terms of actual cleanup: one may wonder if Congress will continue to appropriate the substantial $6 billion a year for the Dept. of Energy's Environmental Management Program without consensus of the public on #1) the benefits or #2) the ameliorated risks from present expenditures. Current stakeholders come from a wide range of public interest groups and they do not get along particularly well. They do not have current programs or projects that reflect the use of the SFIP and researchers should be asking themselves, "Why not?" (Resources for the Future [RFF] has an on-going research project that tackles public participation in environmental decision making).

I would also like to comment on Ch. 6 "The Institutional Environment: Biosafety" by Darly Rowe. The importance of Dr. Rowe's conclusion that we must rely on consultation and working with the client on biosafety issues cannot be overstated. I also like the typology which places biosafety issues in proper perspective. We seem to be deluged with risks and risk information, and his approach is clear, concise and elegant. In sum, I believe that environmental health professionals can apply the insights in this series of articles in a way that will help supplant the "command-and-control" mentatlity that has battered so many of our colleagues and public health/environment inspectors, and baffled decision makers in the past two decades. Asst. Prof. R. Steven Konkel, Ph.D., EKU

Excellent reference book with questionable publisher support
This text is one of the most definitive AND USEFUL shelf references for the environmental health sciences. Detailed, accurate, wide-ranging on topics of immediate interest to the practicing sanitarian, engineer or the very interested non-practitioner. Support from the publisher has been poor. For two years after the announcement of the current addendum, the publisher "disavowed knowledge" of an addendum. When published, the addendum had the same ISBN number as the complete text -- creating the unture appearance of a "reduced" price complete addition. Salvato, could for the price of this text, be on a more current update of information contained in some chapters (2-3 year cycle). The scope of this work would justify numerous consulting authors. While it is one of the best shelf references and "learning texts" it could still be improved and be better supported by a publisher that sometimes seems to have insulated itself from the buying public. ... Read more

Book Description

The definitive guide to vermicomposting-a process using redworms to recycle food waste into nutrient-rich food for plants. Newly revised and updated, this 162 page manual provides complete illustrated instructions on setting up and maintaining small-scale worm composting systems. Topics include different bins, what kind of worms to use, sex life of a worm, preparing worm beddings, how to meet the needs of the worms, what kinds of foods to feed the worms, harvesting worms, and making potting soil from the vermicompost produced. A 63 page bibliography, 24 annotated references, a glossary,and comprehensive index make this a valuabe reference book as well as a practical manual. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A "user friendly" guide to recycling kitchen food waste
Now in its revised second edition, Worms Eat My Garbage by Mary Appelhof is a practical and "user friendly" guide to recycling kitchen food waste, producing fertilizer for house and garden plants, growing fishing worms, and saving money, all through the process of a worm composting system. Worms Eat My Garbage is a simple, effective, "how-to" guide covering everything from how to set up a worm bin, to what types of garbage are best for worm composting, to taking care of the worms, to effectively saving money while reaping the benefits of the process. Worms Eat My Garbage is easy-to-follow, thorough, and enthusiastically recommended reference for environmentalists and gardeners.

Wait! There's a Better One!
Anyone who is interested in this topic must read "Recycle With Earthworms: The Red Wiggler Connection"
In my opinion it is a much better book than "Worms Eat My Garbage," but definitely does not get the recognition deserved!
Check it out! It's awesome!

This book has taught me the essientials to learning about...
This book has taught me about what i need for my worm farm that im getting in a week or two....Only problem is there are almost absoloutly no wormdealers here

Well i rate this book a five because it explains the book clearly and doesnt have mumbojumbo throughout the book I read this book in one day i ate it up

...

Hey! I loved this book!
This was a fun book about the little creepy crawlers! It gives a very solid scientific introduction to the little critters and answers most of your basic questions about worms. The focus of the book has to with vermiculture--the use of worms for developing super-rich compost material for organic gardens. Vermicompost is without a doubt the best composting material available for organic gardeners, and setting up your own vermicomposting bin is the best way to get yourself some of this richly organic fertilizer.

The book details how you can set up your own vermicompost bin, either by making it yourself or by purchasing a commercial worm bin. It also even describes how some school systems have saved themselves bundles of money by having worms eat the schoolkids' lunch scraps rather than pay for commercial garbagemen to haul the stuff away!

I would most strongly recommend this book for anybody interested in either worms, vermicomposting or organic gardening. It's a very fun read!

The Bible of Worm Composting
Worms Eat My Garbage is an informative and fun guide to worm composting (vermicomposting). It is no wonder this book has been accepted as The Guide by worm composters- it is a complete guide to planning, setting up, and using a worm composting system either indoors or outdoors. Different end goals are discussed (more worms, versus more compost) in view of the maintenance required to achieve the goals. A happy medium is recommended. A list of organic kitchen waste that can be composted is included. The author does not shy away from composting small amounts of meat, which the worms will gladly eat, though it may smell.

The amount of information about the life of worms is just right. The reproduction of worms is described at a layperson level, as well as other interesting worm facts, like the cut a worm in half myth.

The book is very easy reading, written at a 5th grade level, making it appropriate for classroom use or science projects. The illustrators' drawings make the book fun as well as aiding visual learners.

The author recommends commercial bins as well as homemade designs, with pictures of each. Plans for some homemade bins are included.

I enjoyed the section on a zero-waste society. With standard glass, metal and paper recycling, and the worms to recycle organic waste, the only items in my trash are plastics. This means I can go much longer between emptying my trash, mostly because it doesn't smell but also because the volume is reduced.

I was disappointed that the book, although it is very comprehensive, does not discuss composting items rather than kitchen waste and paper for worm bedding. For instance, animal waste can be composted using red worms, as long as the compost is not placed on plants or trees used for human consumption. Also, the book didn't mention that scrap organic cloth, such as cotton, wool, and linen, can be composted. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

designer's reference
Although this book is geared towards upper level engineering students, I found it extremely beneficial in my research as a graduate student in architecture. Architects and landscape architects interested in reclaiming the post-industrial landscape will find it to be a clear and concise guide to contaminants and remediation technologies.

A plug for ERM - pure and simple!
The titlle of the book implies that it has much to do with hazardous waste management, although in reality, it is more about remediation or site cleanup. Classic hazardous waste management deals with the MANAGEMENT of hazardous wastes within an industrial setting and how NOT to let it get into the media in the first place. In this regard, while the authors had the right intention, they fell short. For example, the chapter on environmental auditing was very weak and not given much attention, which is really at the heart of hazardous waste management. In addition, a troubling issue that took away from the book was the blatent self-promotion of ERM in the book, beginning with the foreward by Paul Woodruf, ERM's CEO, and the profuse listing of ERM self credits from editing to graphics. Who really authored the book, the authors listed, or ERM? ... Read more

Book Description

The Practical Handbook of Compost Engineering presents an in-depth examination of the principles and practice of modern day composting. This comprehensive book covers compost science, engineering design, operation, principles, and practice, stressing a fundamental approach to analysis throughout. Biological, physical, chemical, thermodynamic, and kinetic principles are covered to develop a unified analytical approach to analysis and an understanding of the process.A brief history of the development of composting systems, which leads to descriptions of modern processes, is presented.The Practical Handbook of Compost Engineering also discusses the elements of successful odor management at composting facilities, including state-of-the-art odor treatment and enhanced atmospheric dispersion. The book is excellent for all engineers, practitioners, plant operators, scientists, researchers, and students in the field. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume is the only resource that describes and explains in simple, non-mathematical terms the unit processes used to treat both drinking water and wastewater. Designed to meet the information needs of professionals without an engineering background, the text presents each unit process, states what function(s) it performs, illustrates what equipment it uses, and explains what its role is in the process of purifying or cleaning water. In addition, the book places water treatment technologies in the context of overall plant operation. In addition, it explains related topics such as plant management and environmental regulations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Water/Wastewater Treatment for the Non-engineering Professio
This is the best, most concise text on this topic that I have seen. ... Read more

Book Description

Step-by-step procedures for planning, design, construction and operation: *Health and environment *Process improvements*Stormwater and combined sewer control and treatment*Effluent disposal and reuse*Biosolids disposal and reuse*On-site treatment and disposal of small flows*Wastewater treatment plants should be designed so that the effluent standards and reuse objectives, and biosolids regulations can be met with reasonable ease and cost. The design should incorporate flexibility for dealing with seasonal changes, as well as long-term changes in wastewater quality and future regulations. Good planning and design, therefore, must be based on five major steps:characterization of the raw wastewater quality and effluent, pre-design studies to develop alternative processes and selection of final process train, detailed design of the selected alternative, contraction, and operation and maintenance of the completed facility. Engineers, scientists, and financial analysts must utilize principles from a wide range of disciplines: engineering, chemistry, microbiology, geology, architecture, and economics to carry out the responsibilities of designing a wastewater treatment plant. The objective of this book is to present the technical and nontechnical issues that are most commonly addressed in the planning and design reports for wastewater treatment facilities prepared by practicing engineers. Topics discussed include facility planning, process description, process selection logic, mass balance calculations, design calculations, and concepts for equipment sizing. Theory, design, operation and maintenance, trouble shooting, equipment selection and specifications are integrated for each treatment process. Thus delineation of such information for use by students and practicing engineers is the main purpose of this book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The best book of wastewater treatment plant design
This book is explained very clearly on how to design the WWTP. Especially, it is only book in the world that shows the design examples of the biological nutrient removal treatment processes. All design calculations are shown in every step that necessary for real design. ... Read more

Book Description

From the Reviews of the Previous Editions:

"...recommended as a readable reference to the large complex world of hazardous waste regulation." — Environmental Protection

"...presented in a very readable and understandable format." — The Hazardous Waste Consultant

"...a valuable reference tool because it is easy to use, and includes clear, concise discussions." — Bowker's Legal Publishing Review

The transportation of hazardous materials anddisposal have become immense environmental concerns. As a result a number of government agencies have constructed regulation for manufacturers to follow, which are often confusing and written in complex legal terminologies. This new edition of a successful publication is designed to help professionals from all disciplines understand the national hazardous waste regulatory program. Available in both print and CD-ROM formats, the work presents the often complex and hazy material in a straightforward and lucid manner. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Bravo!
A great reference book for those needing to decipher hazardous waste regulatory jargon. I've wasted my money on other so-called interpretive guides, which merely summarized the law. Ho hum. Wagner's book goes much further to explain and decipher the regulations, not just the law. Very helpful!

Finally, a book that fully and correctly explains RCRA!
A colleague shared this book with me to help explain some meaty aspect of RCRA. I finally understand what is required so that I can talk intelligently with the regulators. I subsequently went out and purchased my own copy. This book is great as a reference. I highly recommend you obtain a copy if you are as mystified by the RCRA regs as most of us are. ... Read more

Book Description

Activated sludge is the most vital wastewater process today. Now, this recent book provides a comprehensive guide to the modelling and design of activated sludge systems. Written by two leaders in the wastewater field, the book presents extensive and up-to-date coverage of all areas in the activated sludge process microbiological basis, reactor kinetics, and design methodologies. The book is organized for easy reference and is ideal as a text or desktop guide. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent Book for engineers dealing with water treatment
I think that this book is really really good for those involved in water supply and water treatment especially environmental and civil engineers. All the concepts are there. Many books focus mainly on the theory, but this book is very useful for practical and application purposes. I think only the 2000 edition of S Kuwamura's book "Integrated Design and Operation of Water Treatment Facilities" comes close to matching the usefullness of this book for engineers dealing with water treatment design. I say this book is definetely worth buying, and for me, who is an environmental engineer dealing with water treatment, this book has come in so handy, that I always keep it in the office. It is really good to see a great book being published which comes in so handy to engineers when designing.

Water Works Engineering Planning Design and Operations
The book is very practical and concise. The design of a theoretical treatment plant that is carried through the text is excellent.

Excellent Design Book for Water Industry Professionals
Till the arrival of this book, there have been five books commonly used by consulting engineers for the design of water treatment plants. Water and Wastewater Engineering by Fair/Geyer/Okun (1968), Water Treatment Plant Design by Sanks (1978), Water Treatment Principles and Design by James M. Montgomey, Inc.(1985), Integrated Design of Water Treatment Facilities by S. Kawamura (1991), and Water Treatment Plant Design by AWWA/ASCE (1998). As evident from the dates of publication of above mentioned books, most of them are 10-20 years old except for last one. Some of the above books needs a companion book in order to fully understand theory behind unit processes in environmental engineering. Another drawback with some design books is that they do not provide step-by-step procedure for planning, design, and operation of water treatment plant.

Water Works Engineering by Qasim, Motley, and Zhu has a total of nineteen chapters, and four appendices. Chapter 1 through 4 are devoted to the some fundamentals of water engineering. Chapter 5 deals with the preparation of a predesign report. The remainder of the book is devoted to the design of medium-size water treatment plant. It covers step-by-step design calculations; equipment details; engineering drawings; and operation and maintenance of head works, raw water transport, treatment, and distribution systems. Separate chapters have been devoted to plant layout, yard piping and hydraulics, instrumentation and automatic controls, design summary, and the avoidance of design errors.

Inclusion of more detailed description of laboartory tests for predesign studies would have been better. The book does not talk much about the the commonly used softwares in water works.

Overall, this book is an excellent manual for design engineers in water industry. Its step-by-step procedures for the design of water treatment plants and its in-depth coverage for the entire conventional water treatment plant is the strongest feature of this publication. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Poorly written, poorly organized
This was the text for my environmental engineering class at Cooper Union (Fall 2002).

Speaking from my own experience and that of many of my classmates, this book is highly frustrating to use and is a poor learning tool all around. Solutions to example problems often have no units shown in intermediate steps, leaving you to guess. The writing often deteriorates into recitations of mind-numbing laundry lists of the numerical particularities of a given topic. The book rarely gives the reader a good, gut feeling for what's actually going on in a process under consideration.

A complete rewrite in collaboration with a skilled technical writer is suggested. More sample problems are needed. Mr. Hammer is no doubt exceptionally experienced as an environmental engineer, but his pedagogical skills as evidenced by this book simply don't make it.

Basic things like key words and concepts should be incorporated. Graphics, which are generally poor and sometimes illegible should be improved and expanded upon. An earlier 2nd edition by Wiley that I came upon at the library was actually better than Prentice-Hall's current low budget 4th edition, which is the one my class used.

In short, avoid this book, either Wiley's 2nd edition or Prentice-Hall's 4th. I'm currently scouting around for a replacement, so that I can actually learn what it was I was supposed to have learned.

A very useful book!
This is an excellent book to read if you want to learn about wastewater treatment or just if you want to refresh your knowledge of this theme. The book presents easy to follow examples in many of the topics, say, clarifiers design (primary, intermediate, final), Aeration basins, etc. I prefer this book rather than Viessman & Hammer because it is much more friendly. I have not check yet the part of the book corresponding to water treatment, but the wastewater part is very good. ... Read more

Book Description

Completely revised and updated, the Second Edition of Site Assessment and Remediation Handbook provides coverage of new procedures and technologies for an expanded range of site investigations. With over 700 figures, tables, and flow charts, the handbook is a comprehensive resource for engineers, geologists, and hydrologists conducting site investigation, and a one-stop, technical reference for environmental attorneys. ... Read more

Book Description

The most comprehensive, up-to-date, and thoroughly researched book on the topic of composting human manure available anywhere. It includes a review of the historical, cultural, and environmental issues pertaining to "human waste," as well as an in depth look at the potential health risks related to humanure recycling, with clear instructions on how to eliminate those dangers in order to safely convert humanure into garden soil. Written by a humanure composter with over twenty years experience, this classic work now includes illustrated, step-by-step instructions on how to build a "$25 composting toilet." Also new to the second edition is a chapter on alternative graywater systems; color photos of humanure compost gardens; a review of U.S. state regulations pertaining to compost toilets, graywater systems, and constructed wetlands; and a list of compost toilets sources worldwide. The humor throughout the book, however, remains execrable. ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Humanure Handbook
What a fun and informative book. Joe's ability to include much needed scientific information in a light hearted and comic way makes the reading truely enjoyable. Composting toilets are catching on for many reasons throughout the world and I see why this book has become a primary source of facts about the whole process of using human manure through a low cost composting method. I have actually used a toilet built to his specs--with the 5 gallon plastic bucket and saw dust--and must say it works. My wife and I are planning to add one of our own to a little cabin on our 80 acre tree farm. Have a laugh and learn how to reduce your impact on the Earth. Read the Humanure Handbook!

The Humanure Handbook
Our family looked a long time before finding the info that Joseph Jenkins presents in his book. Having moved onto raw land after living in camping trailers and RVs, we had been used to chemical toilets and now faced a situation where we were weekly going to a dump site. I had heard that there were "composting toilets" which were a great alternative, especially for organic farmers, but that they were very expensive. Jenkins' book contributed more to our life than any other resource excluding the Holy Bible. He presents well documented facts for any one who is concerned with bacteria, disease, the environment, recycling and perhaps best of all simplicity and economics. Joes book has helped our family to live a less stressful and more productive life. What he presents can be understood by anyone and will fit the budget of the poorest of us. Joe Jenkins has given us one more tool to help us all return our planet to the beautiful garden it was intended to be.

Go ahead -- eat that burrito!
If you're like me, you spent years avoiding solid food because of the unpleasant by-product (poop). Well, those days are over! Thanks to this fabulous book, you can eat REAL food again ... and, better yet, you can "do your business" just about anywhere -- the back yard, the garden, even your local golf course! Heck, I've stopped wearing pants!

On the down side, I wish the book had included more recipes.

A book that digs deep.
I like it when a book makes me take a big step back and question my place in the world. The Humanure Handbook uses a daily function (going to the bathroom) as the context for doing just this. Not only does it scrutize a deeply-entrenched and accepted modern appliance (the flush toilet), exposing it as a wasteful product of western laziness, but it gives the reader all the information needed to easily, affordably, and safely implement a better alternative.

Probably the most important point made in The Humanure Handbook is the fact that we use the word 'waste' far too liberally and in the wrong way. In the phrase 'human waste' the word 'waste' should be a verb rather than a noun, because as a society we are going to tremendous expense to turn a valuable resource (human urine and feces) into something that is so hard to use that it is fit to be described as 'waste' (noun).

Jenkins works hard to challenge and ultimately destroy the reader's irrational fear of feces and to turn that 'fecophobia' into an enlightened respect for the resource that it can be.

The author cites numerous scientific studies that corraborate his extensive personal experience with composting *everything* that a family household generates. His summary of the scientific literature pertaining to the practise of composting humanure is thorough enough to convince me (a proud skeptic) that anybody could safely compost humanure after a careful reading of this book.

This Book Improved Our Lives!
This book improved our lives as soon as I finished it! Thank you Joe Jenkins! After living for four years with a well known brand of composting toilet, the sawdust toilet in this book has finally given us simple living. I read this book cover to cover the day I got it. My husband built it in one hour and we started using it. Simplicity at it's best! Everything in this book makes total sense. I only wish I'd bought this book four years ago when we first moved to our homestead. I highly recommend it-it should be required reading to live in this country! ... Read more

Book Description

Environmental Hydrology is an excellent textbook for use in introductory/intermediate hydrology courses. 60 tables, 169 illustrations, 71 worked examples, 120 homework problems, laboratory exercises or projects are included in this ideal textbook for students of environmental science, hydrology, meteorology, agronomy, soil science, forestry, geography, natural resources, and agricultural and civil engineering. It provides a qualitative understanding of hydrologic processes and an introduction to methods for quantifying hydrologic parameters and processes. English units are primarily used but conversion tables and many problems with SI units are also presented.Written by an interdisciplinary group of scientists and engineers, the book begins with introductory chapters on the components of the hydrologic cycle. Subsequent chapters cover soil water hydrology, evapotranspiration, ground-water flow, surface runoff, soil erosion, flow in channels, forest and wetland hydrology, water quality, remote sensing applications in hydrology, and modeling hydrologic systems. It also includes a chapter of projects and laboratory exercises, a glossary of terms, hydrologic data, and references. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good basic hydrology book and hydrology desk reference.
Environmental hydrology is an excellent text for undergraduate engineering students taking their first-course in hydrology. Now, as a practicing professional, I use this book regularly as a desk reference. ... Read more

Book Description

FROM THE PREFACEIn the years since the first edition, I have continued to consider ways in which the texts could be improved. In this regard, I researched several topics including how people learn (learning styles, etc.), how the brain functions in storing and retrieving information, and the fundamentals of memory systems. Many of the changes incorporated in this second edition are a result of this research. The changes were field-tested during a three-year period in which I taught a water and wastewater mathematics course for Palomar Community College, San Marcos, California.· All the fundamental math concepts and skills needed for daily water/wastewater treatment plant operations. This first volume, "Basic Math Concepts for Water and Wastewater Plant Operators," provides a thorough review of the necessary mathematical concepts and skills encountered in the daily operations of a water and wastewater treatment plant. Each chapter begins with a skills check to allow the student to determine whether or not a review of the topic is needed. Practice problems illustrate the concepts presented in each section. ... Read more

Book Description

While numerous books are available on remediation systems, this is the first work to document and explain in full the design aspects of the subject. Based on sound engineering principles and practical construction considerations, this text explains the entire process of remediation design, from assessment to completion, and provides engineers with the tools they need to conduct a pilot test, apply the results, and design a practical, efficient system.Design of Remediation Systems first establishes the underlying principles behind each technology, then outlines the standard procedures for designing a system. This comprehensive manual explains feasibility and pilot tests, data evaluation, design considerations and parameters, calculations and equations, and construction aspects of the system. Also featured are discussions of the operation and maintenance of systems, and analysis of current trends, such as combining soil vapor extraction with air sparging. Detailed case study examples are included in each chapter. The book considers petroleum hydrocarbons as the primary contaminant, but the principles and procedures can be applied to a wide range of other contaminants.This hands-on text/reference presents a complete picture of remediation system design forengineers, students, and scientists. No other single work offers the thorough coverage of this critical aspect of remediation. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Design of Remediation Systems
It is a good design guideline of this sort in remdiation engineering since it was written from designer's perspective with real examples and spreadsheets for data recording and analyses. However, it would be even better if it included more theoretical background on vapor extraction test to help designers compare with groundwater unsteady pump test theory. There is a minor error in page 216 that motor HP is considered a fuction of motor's efficiecy. Motors are usally rated as output HP. ... Read more

Book Description

The deceptively simple supermarket choice echoed in the titlesymbolizes the dilemma of a society on a collision course withthe planet's life-support systems. Do we clearcut forests,process pulp, and bleach it with chlorine to make paper bags?Or do we make a pact with demon hydrocarbon, refiningancient sunlight into handy plastics? About half the total volumeof America's municipal solid waste is packaging--at least300 pounds per person each year--and the "upstream" costs inenergy and resources used to make packaging are even morealarming.
In this fascinating look at the world of packaging, writerDaniel Imhoff and photographer/designer Roberto Carra giveconsumers, product designers, and policymakers the informationwe need to take steps toward a more sustainable future.They delve into the histories and life cycles of packaging materialsand look at the countless ways that packaged goods shapeour culture. Using case studies, they explore the positive trendsthat are changing packaging, including producer responsibilityand "take-back" laws being enacted in Europe; the eco-designmovement; plant-based plastics; labeling to disclose the ecologicaland social impacts of products; and producing and consuminglocally and in bulk versus the wasteful global exchangeof single-serving containers. Carra's remarkable color photographsillustrate both the important functions of packagingand its many unintended consequences around the globe.
Despite recent advances, the packaging problem keepsgrowing, Imhoff warns. Real solutions must incorporate new(or rediscovered) ways of producing, distributing, packaging,consuming, reusing, and reprocessing products and materials.As consumers, there's much we can do, and Paper or Plasticoffers a checklist for consumer action, along with resources forinformation on products, programs, and policy options. It'sone book that is truly worth the recycled paper it's printed on. ... Read more

Book Description

Completely revised and updated, the second edition of the bestselling In Situ Treatment Technology adds three new chapters to provide the reader with an even more comprehensive reference source on remediation. This authoritative book goes beyond discussion of individual in situ technologies by providing an understandingof the geologic foundation, the strengths and limitations of each of the technologies, and the details necessary to implement them. It also integrates all chapters to show how these technologies fit together to make a particular remediation method simultaneously the best technical and the most cost-effective design.The latest updates from the EPA and DOD, as well the inclusion of new material, affords you the detailed knowledge necessary to design a full-scale treatment system. New in this edition are sections in three of the chapters that provide the specific calculations necessary to design an actual treatment system. In Situ Treatment Technology, Second Edition is a comprehensive reference source. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I like it
This book does a good job of discussing why groundwater extraction (pump and treat or whatever else you want to call it) is not useful for cleanup of petroleum contaminated sites, rendering it best suited for hydraulic control of plumes.

The author also has a pretty good discussion regarding lifecycle design considerations and the various steps to go through/questions to ask with regard to effluent treatment and equipment sizing.

Some of the technology descriptions appears to be taken from design of remediation systems by suthersan, but both books were published by the same company so i guess that shouldn't really be a surprise. Both books offer different perspectives, so I find them both to be pretty useful, however, I like this one a little more because the author seems to be more of a practical guy whereas suthersan is more theoretical.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of the design and correct application of remediation technologies. ... Read more

Book Description

FROM THE PREFACEThe main objective of composting is to transform organic materials into a stable usable product. Often organic materials which may have limited beneficial use in their raw state or have regulatory disposal constraints can be transformed by composting into marketable products. The limits on beneficial reuse may be regulations or they may be due to the potential for materials to be putrescible or pathogenic. Composting can be a solution for each of these.The implementation of composting on a large scale (in contrast to home or backyard composting) involves materials handling. Technological implementation of composting must be consistent with the biological demand of the system. If the biological system is violated, conditions will not be optimized for composting, and problems such as odor generation, insufficient aeration or moisture, or a combination of these conditions may result. Past problems and closure of facilities have been largely due to violations of the biological systems. Product quality with respect to particle size, inclusions, moisture content and other physical aspects are a function of engineering design. A well designed system must have the biological and engineering principles in harmony at all times. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An excellent guide to the basic principles of soil science
Now in a newly updated and expanded fourth edition with additional topical material and the results of current research and trends, Soil Science Simplified is an excellent guide to the basic principles of soil science. From soil physical properties, chemical equations, water, and fertility to soil conservation, surveys, and engineering, Soil Science Simplified is densely packed with so much information that it is eminently suitable as a high school or undergraduate soil science textbook. Black-and-white sketches and diagrams illustrate the scholarly, methodical, highly instructional text. Soil Science Simplified is strongly recommended for students and professionals in seeking to understand soil science principles -- especially engineers, environmentalists, landscape architects, as well as anyone with an interest or career in agriculture.

cool
I think it will be good for me. however, there is others which is the best.. ... Read more