Total Garbage: How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our World by Edward Humes (Avery, 2024) has been named the winner of the 2025 Penn Libraries Book Prize in Sustainability. Mr. Humes will discuss his work and the stories behind Total Garbage at a ceremony on October 15, 2025 during Climate Week at Penn.

Now in its second year, the Penn Libraries Book Prize in Sustainability acknowledges outstanding contributions to the global discourse on environmental sustainability, with a specific focus on books that have a substantial impact on the public’s understanding of these crucial issues. 

Penn Libraries Board of Advisors member Haniel J. Lynn, ENG’91, WG’95, PAR’23, and his wife, Anita Hsueh Lynn, ENG’91, PAR’23, generously provided funding to establish the annual prize.

The reception and ceremony will take place October 15, 2025 from 4-6 p.m. at the Kislak Center Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion on the 6th floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center. It is open to the public but registration is required. Visit https://www.library.upenn.edu/events/penn-libraries-book-prize-0 to register. 

This annual award recognizes outstanding contributions to the global discourse on environmental sustainability. A cocktail reception will precede the formal award ceremony.