Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Edward Humes joins Andy Keller to talk trash — literally. In this episode of the ChicoBag Podcast, they dive deep into the hidden systems that fuel our waste crisis and reveal how garbage connects to climate change, health, inequality, and everyday life.

Humes shares stories and insights from his latest book Total Garbage, revealing how the things we throw away — and the systems that produce them — are quietly driving some of our biggest environmental problems. From the gas stove debate to the rise of microplastics in our food and water, this is an eye-opening look at how waste shapes our world and what we can do about it.

Whether you're a policy nerd, a sustainability advocate, or just wondering what actually happens to your trash, this episode offers practical, thoughtful, and surprisingly hopeful solutions.

Topics include:

Why gas stoves are worse for your health than you think

The environmental cost of driving that no one talks about

How microplastics are showing up in our bodies

What repair cafés, induction stoves, and urban farms have in common

How to rethink your relationship with waste

Connect with Edward Humes:

Hosted by Andy Keller, Founder of ChicoBag.