Beyond the Bin: What Really Happens to the Stuff We Toss

Join Melanie Mannarino, author of The (Almost) Zero-Waste Guide, for an eye-opening look at what really happens after we put things “out for recycling.” 

In this engaging Earth Day talk, Melanie pulls back the curtain on the complex world of waste — revealing what actually gets recycled, where it goes, and why so much doesn’t. She’ll unpack common myths about recycling and the circular economy, share surprising facts about how everyday habits add up, and offer simple, practical steps for reducing waste at home and in your community. 

You’ll leave informed, inspired, and empowered to make small changes that have a big impact.

Melanie Mannarino is a writer and editor specializing in wellness and lifestyle content. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and other media brands, and she's the author of four books.  Her interest in sustainability was prompted by her mother, who was scouring garage sales and secondhand clothing stores before it was cool. Today, Melanie composts for her herb and vegetable garden, has a killer vintage clothing collection, and drives a 2012 hybrid vehicle — because it’s better to keep something functional in circulation than to send it to the landfill or junkyard in favor of something new.

This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.