Recycling Day: What Happens to the Things We Throw Away - (Understanding the World) by Polly Faber (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Find out where recycling goes in this vibrant and fascinating illustrated guide for kids!

Empty things, broken things, yucky things -- follow the journey of recycled objects as they move through the recycling process in order to be reused in all sorts of interesting ways. With stylish, contemporary artwork from award-winning illustrator Klas Fahlén and friendly narrative text by Polly Faber, this engrossing picture book introduces all the people, processes, machines, and vehicles involved in recycling and trash disposal!

From garbage collectors and waste recycling center workers to container ship captains and landfill employees, children will be fascinated to find out how trash is managed!

Additional nonfiction back matter includes three pages of fully illustrated recycling facts and tips to inspire kids to reduce waste and reuse items.

Review Quotes

What happens to all the things that we throw away? Well, this fun new book from award winning author Polly Faber will tell us. In a clever mix of fact and fiction, we see the many varied types of rubbish or unrequired items thrown away in a typical family home, from a pair of holey socks to leftover breakfast scraps and follow their subsequent journey through collection to disposal or repurpose. From Holly in her bin lorry, Darcy in her forklift and Stan with his can crusher, we see all the many people, vehicles and jobs that are required to dispose of the rubbish from our homes. Each different material type is visited and explained in an easy-tounderstand format with bright and stylish artwork from Fahlen showing the complete cycle of each item. Children who may have visited the recycling centre or 'tip' with their families are given a clearer picture of why things are sorted into different containers or bins and not just thrown in all together. We then see what happens to each container-full after it leaves the centre, whether it be glass bottles that are crushed to make new bottles (or even airport runways!), food scraps that become compost or some types of rubbish that can't be recycled and must be burnt or buried. After all the rubbish has been dealt with, we return to the family home where every day they try to make it a 'Not for the Bin Day' and try to reuse, mend or recycle, proving that together we can help keep our world beautiful for years to come. The final pages talk more about how everyone can help to do this in lots of small ways, whether by carrying our own bags for shopping or bottles on days out, reusing paper and cardboard or passing on toys and clothes that we've outgrown. An innovative and interesting picture book, perfect for answering questions about our rubbish and encouraging recycling from an early age--Anne Horemans, Books for Keeps - May 2025

About the Author

Polly Faber (Author)
Polly Faber lives in London with her husband, sons, and two black and white cats called Alan and Babs. She worked as a midwife and a sandwich maker before becoming a writer, and has also mashed potatoes for Prince Edward's dinner. Her best impression is of a tortoise eating a strawberry.

Klas Fahlén (Illustrator)
Klas is an award-winning illustrator who has years of experience working in advertising, design and publishing. He lives in Stockholm with his family. Building a Home and Special Delivery are his first children's books.