The statistic that one million acres of trees were chopped down in Canada’s forests last year is horrifying, isn’t it? But is it? What if you learned that those one million acres came from a forest of 667 million acres, so only 0.15% were cut? Would the statistic sound as bad? Probably not. Some environmental groups and media want you to think these things are bad when, in reality, there’s so much more to the story. John Mullinder is the person to stand up and state how it is in his book Little Green Lies and Other BS: From "Ancient" Forests to "Zero" Waste. This book is extremely easy to navigate, as the chapters are in alphabetical order, with titles such as "deforestation," "recycling," "toilet paper," and "Xmas paper" (that chapter alone is an eye-opener).

Did you know that your pizza boxes are recyclable, yep, cheese, grease, and all. There’s so much useful detail like this that you can learn from the book. Speaking of recyclable, that and recycling are not the same. Just because something is recyclable, it doesn’t mean it gets recycled. When you think that you’re recycling bottles and plastics by simply placing them in the appropriate bins, you’re not. You’re just sending them off to be recycled. Once they reach the plant, for any number of reasons, maybe only 30% end up in a new product. I could give you hundreds of these anecdotes from the book, but it’s best if you read them all for yourself. If you’re ready to learn the truth about what’s going on in the world, the environment, and across the media, this book is for you. Little Green Lies and Other BS by John Mullinder will open your eyes and inform you about the truth behind greenwashing.

Environmental damage and the proposed solutions have become controversial topics, with opposing views, misconceptions, and disinformation. Little Green Lies and Other BS by John Mullinder provides fresh perspectives in a book aimed at both the consumer and the media. The author believes that both sides in the growing debate are guilty of making unsubstantiated claims. He questions whether truly ancient forests exist, as an example citing that most of Canada’s trees are less than 100 years old. The book seeks to bring clarity, avoid confusion, and cut out emotion, pointing out that deforestation can be due to other causes such as residential development, golf courses, mining, and conversion to agricultural land. The author laments sloppy journalism and spurious arguments, such as the exaggerated claims involving Christmas wrapping paper wastage. Greenwashing terminology like eco-friendly and environmentally friendly is common. Confusion abounds over words such as recycled, recyclable, and reusable, when it seems clear that nothing is 100% recyclable and zero waste is a myth. The recycling process is dealt with in detail. The cost of recycling is evaluated, particularly for plastics, while sustainability remains a complex issue. Cardboard packaging is also discussed, as well as landfill. Calls for a paperless society ignore the environmental impact of computers, with high energy consumption, increased hardware capacity, and e-waste.

John Mullinder has considerable experience in the paper, packaging, recycling, and waste areas. Little Green Lies and Other BS asks searching questions, such as whether consumption is the real driver behind the packaging waste problem, noting the excessively elaborate packaging of beauty, toiletry, and cosmetic products, while pondering whether we really need them. Myths are dispelled, data is analyzed, and compared. I liked the solid waste disposal pie chart as it is particularly striking, with food emerging as a major culprit. Paper is not the main problem, as much can be recycled, even pizza boxes. The focus is on the USA and Canada, although the author points out that the rates of deforestation and recycling vary widely from country to country. An explanation of key terms is most helpful, exploring topics such as the circular economy, while a list of sources and definitions in the endnotes rounds off a well-researched publication that will add balance to the environmental discourse. An appendix covers deforestation. The writing is concise and the arguments compelling. This work is a call for a more informed and open debate, and in that it succeeds admirably. This incisive look at environmental damage is thought-provoking, whichever side of the fence the reader may sit.

"This entertaining and informative 'dictionary' of environmental buzzwords explains and exposes a variety of terms that are widely used but often poorly understood. Myths and misconceptions about paper, packaging, waste, and recycling are challenged, and well-documented references encourage the reader to dig deeper. Little Green Lies and Other BS is a great resource for anyone who wants to become better informed about critical issues." Kathleen McFadden, Former Assistant Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry.

"Folksy writing style sprinkled with tongue-in-cheek satire, and easy reading from beginning to end. I particularly enjoyed the 'elephant' story listed under X for Xmas Paper (the chapters being arranged alphabetically). It's a story that shows how the media, lamentably, are often much more interested in provocative headlines than in the facts. This book should be required reading for any new hires (as well as old ones, for that matter). Martin Fairbank, Ph.D., Author, Resolute Roots.

"Deserves wide readership by all who have an interest in environmental policy issues, including current hot topics such as forest management and certified products, solid waste generation, and recycling. The scope of the book is impressive, with extensive endnotes to back up the explanations and arguments. Be especially wary, says the author, of campaigns and fundraising efforts that exaggerate or misrepresent in order to attract media or government attention. This book is a timely and welcome reminder of the need to critically evaluate all claims being made by stakeholders.'' David McRobert, Environmental Lawyer.

"Words are a powerful means of communicating facts that appeal to our logic, but they can also convey emotion that tugs at our heartstrings. The forest industry, for example, has been vilified by environmental groups using words that are damning. Where does the truth lie? What are the facts? This book is required reading for those in the forest industry who need to cut through the BS; for those urban environmentalists who want to understand the real issues; for Indigenous communities who are key stakeholders in any discussions; and for politicians who have the responsibility to set reasoned policies that will protect and sustain the forests for future generations." David McDonald, Consultant and Adjunct Professor, McMaster University.

"Takes on myths and BS and it's hard to find any omissions or factual errors in his arguments. Prodigious research and documentation. Words do matter, and I would add, so do facts. This book is a fitting testament to both. Outspoken NGO Canopy, for example, which claims to be "in the business of saving the planet," certainly has some questions to answer based on the evidence presented here. How can you promote an Ancient Forest Friendly brand when there are no ancient forests? And what's Canopy going to do about the 9 billion gallons of black liquor coming out the back end of their proposed 200 wheat-straw mills dotted around the world (20 in the US and eight in Canada)?" Michael Scott, Former CEO, Waste Diversion Ontario.

Little Green Lies and Other BS is a fascinating book that explores many of the misconceptions and dubious environmental claims that plague our society.

What I enjoyed most about the book is that it is an accessible read - whether you have decades working in the industry like the author, or are new to the space, there is something to be learned by everyone.

As a professor who teaches waste management, Little Green Lies is definitely going to be added to my list of suggested readings.

This is an interesting and sharp-witted take on many of the misleading claims and misinformation surrounding the issue of sustainability today. The average consumer rarely gets the information required to make a rational judgment because telling the "whole" story in context doesn't fit into a sound bite or a simple paragraph. John finds a somewhat light-hearted way to explain these complicated issues in more depth, while at the same time separating "the wheat from the chaff."

His industry experience both provides the reader with more context and enough information to make his or her own assessments. If you want a peek into the real truth behind some of these hot-button topics then give the book a read. You might just learn something while having a good laugh in the process.

Thanks for the opportunity to review this advance copy. As a subject matter expert of some 32 years, I found John hit on some topics that I have always wished the general public would finally get to hear the cold hard truth about!

Sherry Arcaro
Vice President of Sustainability Consulting

I received an advance copy of John's book and I loved it. I work in the recycling industry (or should I say "resource recovery" industry? or "circular economy" industry?) and thoroughly agreed with John that recycling is NOT dead. For anyone wanting to learn more about recycling, I say turn here first for an engaging overview. Hint - Its actually not a little green lie.

John's decoding of the various buzzwords thrown about in modern corporate sustainability story-telling is highly entertaining, passionate and well researched. Use this as your guide to sniff out the good actors from the green-washers.

John provided me with an advance copy and I am glad he did! John explains in plain language a clear-eyed view of the myths and misunderstandings surrounding environmentalism as it relates to forestry and the paper industry. He covers all the terms/topics of interest including forests, recycling, packaging waste and sustainability and provides clear explanations of how these terms have been misused by journalists, businesses and environmental groups. The book is well organized and supported by extensive references to provide the reader with confidence that the explanations he provides in refuting the hype and lies are well-founded and based on facts, not marketing. I recommend this book to anyone interested in these topics, as well as those who wish to understand how the consumer is manipulated by business, journalists and environmental groups.

I received and read a free advance copy of John Mullinder’s second book, “Little Green Lies and Other BS,” and it was undoubtedly worth the wait. Just when one thinks that Mullinder wrote what the world needed to hear with “Deforestation in Canada and Other Fake News,” he’s provided another wake-up call and a “slap in the face” to anyone who wasn’t already paying rapt attention to the eco-disasters threatening our planet. With “Little Green Lies,” Mullinder has further plunged the depths of the murky sea of myth and falsehood perpetuated by well-intentioned – and sometimes not-so-well-intentioned – media and savvy business types, each with their own agenda; he has emerged with the treasure from which everyone will benefit: the facts!

Mullinder provided me with an advance copy. He succinctly captures -in his unique curmudgeonly style -a wide array of questionable claims, exaggerations and outright lies circulating in the nexus of consumers, environmental activists, business and government. At times he provides useful correctives; at other times one has the impression that he is pursuing a still unresolved conflict with some of the purveyors of the inaccuracies he identifies. Mostly, media deservedly take it on the chin for not doing basic fact-checking. Pithy and entertaining, this is well worth your time.

This is a great read! Well organized, well documented, and well explained. I’m a forty-year veteran of the paper industry and I learned a lot from this advanced reader copy. Mr. Mullinder calls out those with an agenda and sets the record straight regarding paper and the environment in an entertaining, reasonable, and inspiring way. Mark Twain is credited with writing that “a lie travels halfway around the world before the truth gets its shoes on.” This book gives the truth a fighting chance.