Waste management is deeply rooted with the current social, economic and political system in several diverse ways. A culture of consumption is promoted, leading to the production of substantial amounts of waste. This is driven by the pursuit of profit, as businesses seek to sell more products and create a constant demand for new goods. Moreover, the costs of waste production and management are often externalized, meaning that they are not fully accounted for in the price of goods and services. This can lead to environmental degradation and negative impacts on communities, as the costs of waste management are passed on to society and the environment. Often neo-colonial dynamics can contribute to waste disposal practices that are inequitable and unsustainable. Finally, waste management is often controlled by companies which may prioritize profit over environmental and social responsibility. This can lead to poor waste management practices and negative impacts on communities and the environment.
Overall, the current capitalist system is intricately linked to waste management, and this connection can contribute to environmental degradation and social inequities. Looking at these interconnections is critical when seeking to develop more sustainable and equitable waste management practices.
As the world faces increasing challenges related to waste management, with significant implications for the environment, public health, and social equity, understanding the interconnections between these issues and the power dynamics at play is crucial. Being aware that technology innovation is necessary to improve waste management, the role of political decisions and educational processes are crucial in order to minimise waste production. Geography, with its focus on the interaction between people and environments, is well positioned to address these challenges and propose solutions for sustainable futures.
In this session, we are seeking original research papers that explore the power dynamics behind waste management with a focus on the role of geography in understanding and addressing these issues.
We are particularly interested in papers that examine the intersections of waste, power dynamics, and geography in relation (but not limited) to:
The social and economic impacts of waste production on marginalised communities
The role of government bodies, civil society and grassroots groups in shaping decisions on waste management
The power dynamics behind waste management, including the role of economic, political, social, and environmental factors
The alternative economic and political models for waste management
The role of the Zero Waste approach for innovations in waste management
The role of educational processes and training actions to provide adequate responses to waste management The session will be held in English. Selected contributions will be invited to submit to the peer-reviewed journal Documenti Geografici (ANVUR Class A academic journal)
Andrea Guaran (1); Federico Venturini (1)
(1) University of Udine
ID Abstract: