We'll it's no secret that I love a good book. And as a person who loves books, a former teacher, and gratefully has kids who love books...we are frequent flyers at our local library and our amazing local bookstores (Storybook Cove, Buttonwood Books, and Book Love). Visit our neighbors at Ocean Village Books for an awesome used selection too.
Figured we'd round up our favorite titles in the sustainability/waste/plastic category for you all.
PS our tote bags are a super awesome library tote. 
linked are the goodreads profiles
Adults
F**K Plastic- easy to read as written in "list style". Great primer for someone who is plastic free curious
Perfectly Good Food- This is a cookbook....If I had a bit more time on my hands, I’d be all over this. Well written, approachable
The Story of Stuff: How our Obsession with Stuff is Trashing the Planet, our Communities, and our Health- and a Vision for Change - Do you like deep dives and data driven information and history? This is a great book for you, but even if you are perpetually distracted (me) this is an "easy read" meaning it's written in a very user friendly way complete with graphics and little cartoons to help you get through it. It is a follow up the short film made in 2007. I find the film a little anxiety producing. If you are prone to anxiety...well I wouldn't watch it....its a lot if you are not someone who is 'in tune' to this stuff. The book is much more digestable and hopeful!
Middle Grade
Total Garbage: A messy dive into trash, waste, and our world-just as the subtitle indicates. Perfect for young adult readers, or adult readers look for a light read! I’m a huge fan of YA books when my brain is feeling fried, but I want good information.
Willodeen-Not your traditional book on 'climate change,' this Katherine Applegate book is a Fantasy novel about the village of Perchance which "has been cursed with fires and mudslides, droughts and fevers, and even the annual migration of hummingbears, a source of local pride and income, has dwindled." A powerful story of perseverance, the importance of observation and inquiry, and the natural balance.
Haven Jacobs Save the Planet - How a young girl channels her climate anxiety into a productive contribution, that's not as straight forward as she thought. Think realistic fiction a la Dark Waters on a YA level.
Rebel Girls Climate Warriors - from Rebel Girls Series, profiles on 25 women that are fighting the good fight. Another one we have at the store for you to browse while you are in.
Elementary
What a Waste- Like any DK non fiction book, I love the graphics and pertinent information. This would be a great book for any kid, and honestly any adult, who is looking for basic information in a digestible way. Lots of great topics covered spanning many areas of trash, recycling and climate change. Maybe not for anxious kids.
100 Ways to Save the Planet- a super user friendly book heavy on graphics. We have this at the store that you can browse through.
Picture Books
To Change a Planet- basic picture book, as in no plot line, just beautiful imagery, but it’s HOPEFUL and great for the youngest of kids
A Family Tree, a newer book that I LOVE. We got this book at the library, and while my kids claim they are too old for picture books, this one had me teary and is a must read for all ages. A sweet story of a tree, a family, and the reverence and responsibility towards nature from an Indigenous family.
We are the Water Protectors- I don't know how to explain this book in my own words, so from the cover jacket....this book is “inspired by many Indigenous-led movements….a rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption.”
The Mess That we Made- Another beautiful picture book that is both realistic, but also hopeful. Particularly focuses on ocean and plastic pollution.
Steve the Dung Beetle: on a Roll- Everything in nature has a reason and a part to play. Plus everyone loves a little potty humour
The Story of Toilet Paper- Naturally this caught my eye at the library...tells you about the history of toilet paper, how its made (yup, adding that bleach) and even alludes to more sustainable production. (it does not include 'family paper' but thats still not something i can get behind)