The Mountains We Make: The Hidden History of Trash, Landfills, and the Systems That Keep Us Clean - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

What happens to our trash after we throw it away?
Most of us never see where it goes — yet the systems that handle waste are some of the most important inventions in human history.

The Mountains We Make takes readers on a clear and engaging journey through the story of waste and landfill engineering — from ancient refuse piles to today’s massive, carefully designed disposal systems. Written for curious teens and young adults (and adults who love real-world history), this book explains how trash has shaped cities, technology, and everyday life.

Inside, readers will discover:

• How ancient civilizations handled waste before garbage trucks existed

• Why the Industrial Revolution created a “trash explosion”

• How the first sanitary landfills were engineered

• Why recycling grew — and what challenges it still faces

• How modern landfills capture methane to power homes

• How composting, reuse, and design are changing the future of waste

Told in clear prose with real stories and human innovation at the center, this book avoids political messaging and focuses on how waste systems work, why they matter, and what they reveal about our world.

Perfect for students, educators, young professionals, and anyone who has ever wondered where “away” really is.

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