The Story of Stuff

Have you ever stopped to ponder where all that stuff that surrounds you--from computers to backpacks to kitchen gadgets--comes from and what impact its production has on the environment?

Wonder no more. Annie Leonard's 20-minute video, The Story of Stuff, illustrates our materials economy--the way the items we purchase every day go from raw materials to finished products and then, eventually, to the landfill. It's an eye-opening, not to mention engaging, video that's worth watching.

After you've watched the video (see below), you can learn even more by reading Leonard's new book on the same topic. Or take a peek at her other videos, including The Story of Bottled Water, The Story of Cap & Trade, and the newest addition, The Story of Cosmetics.