Minter, Adam

Journalist Adam Minter takes us on an unexpected adventure into the often-hidden, multibillion-dollar industry of reuse: thrift stores in the American Southwest to vintage shops in Tokyo, flea markets in Southeast Asia to used-goods enterprises in Ghana, and more. Along the way, Minter meets the fascinating people who handle-and profit from-our rising tide of discarded stuff, and asks a pressing question: In a world that craves shiny and new, is there room for it all?.

Presents the argument that often "going green" means making money, and that the drive to make money can be and often is the most sustainable option. Offers examples of people around the world who have made fortunes off of the recycling business.