This issue of Ecología Política delves into the problem of waste as both a symptom and consequence of an unsustainable economic model rooted in unlimited consumption and growth. Through emblematic cases, such as plastics polluting the oceans or landfills overflowing with disposable clothing, it examines how waste not only contaminates but also reflects deep social and economic inequalities.
Inspired by the environmentalism of the poor and the struggles of waste-picker movements, the articles challenge technocratic solutions that perpetuate environmental injustice and highlight transformative alternatives. Proposals include waste management models grounded in social and ecological justice, degrowth initiatives, and recognition of waste-pickers as key actors in restoring natural cycles.
With interviews and book recommendations, this issue is an urgent call to rethink our relationship with waste and the planet, advocating for fairer and more sustainable systems.
Publication date: December 2024
Open access: December 2025
