Adam Minter

Adam Minter is an American journalist and author known for his work on the global recycling industry. He has written extensively on environmental issues and the economics of waste, including his books 'Junkyard Planet' and 'Secondhand.'

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Junkyard Planet

    Travels in the Billion-Dollar Trash Trade

    This insightful exploration delves into the global recycling industry, revealing the intricate and often surprising journey of discarded materials from trash bins to thriving markets. Through vivid storytelling and firsthand accounts, the book uncovers the economic and environmental impacts of recycling, highlighting the complex network of individuals and businesses that transform waste into valuable commodities. It challenges readers to reconsider their perceptions of waste, emphasizing the interconnectedness of global economies and the hidden value within what is often deemed as junk.

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  2. 2. Secondhand

    Travels in the New Global Garage Sale

    A lively, globe-trotting investigation into the vast, hidden economy of used goods — from thrift stores and flea markets to salvage yards and cross-border brokers — showing how castoffs from wealthy countries are repaired, repurposed, resold and redistributed around the world. Through on-the-ground reporting and vivid human stories, the book reveals how this informal trade creates livelihoods, extends product lifespans, reduces waste and shifts environmental burdens, while exposing the social, economic and ethical tensions that come with a world in which almost nothing is ever truly discarded.

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