Garbology

Humes follows American trash from the kerb to Puente Hills — the largest landfill in the country — by way of garbage archaeologists, waste haulers and the recycling market.

Why it’s on the list: Named in the “explains an entire industry” thread. Waste is one of the largest industries almost nobody can describe, which is exactly the kind of gap the question was fishing for.

Where I saw it: In Kyle’s “Books To Read” Apple Note, recovered from the reply thread to @WillManidis asking “what is the single best book you can read that will explain an entire industry?” (June 2, 2025). The full recovered list lives on what is the single best book… (tweet).

Connections

• what is the single best book… (tweet) — the thread this came out of; the full recovered list lives there.
• Recycling — the part of the industry most people think they understand.