We Americans are notorious for making our unwanted stuff someone else's problem. Part of the reason has to do with our desire to be altruistic: We tell ourselves we're helping the less fortunate when we pass on our perfectly decent items.

But the reality is much bleaker: Both our recently-decluttered donations and our down-and-dirty trash create problems for the people and places that get stuck with our stuff.

 

Here's a preview of what we're discussing today:

[3:00] The literal mountain of clothes in West Africa

[7:00] Swirling, soupy, and more than one: Here's what you likely didn't know about the Pacific trash vortex

[14:00] Alabama's recent landfill fire

[18:00] What's the reality re: America's plastic recyclables?

[22:00] You - yes you! - can help. Here's how

 

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