Generating waste is an inherent aspect of nearly every human and non-human activity. Moreover, when waste production surpasses the capacity for effective management, it poses a challenge that extends to the imperative need to curb indiscriminate consumption of goods and services. In response to these challenges, a comprehensive approach has emerged in recent years, focusing on measures to prevent, reuse, and recycle waste, known as Zero Waste.
Subsequently, the article will delineate the conceptual distinctions between Zero Waste ZW and the Circular Economy CE , shedding light on the potential implications of these concepts on the public policies of both cities. Ultimately, the conclusion aims to elucidate the extent to which these disparities and commonalities might influence the efficacy of their respective endeavours in achieving their goals.
The political ecology framework, which considers the interplay between global and local scales in the study of ecological and political-economic issues Biersack, , proves beneficial as Zero Waste serves as a global discourse adaptable in diverse ways within distinct local contexts shaped by social, economic, and ecological conditions.
While political ecology studies in the 70s and 80s were rooted in the theory of dependency, emphasizing global power structures and social inequalities, contemporary political ecology shifts its gaze toward the local, fostering an approach that acknowledges and validates diverse knowledge, realities, and worlds Biersack, ; Escobar, In this essay, the focus extends beyond individual practices to the practices of entire cities, influenced to some extent by global Zero Waste standards.
Three elements characterize practices:. These theoretical frameworks not only form the basis for analyzing the local contexts of Zero Waste from a place-based approach but also substantiate the argument for the importance of such an analysis. The realm of Transition Discourses TDs in recent literature underscores the imperative need for social-ecological transformations, presenting varied perspectives within academia and civil organizations Escobar, One perspective accentuates the role of technology in substituting industrial production methods to sustain existing consumption patterns Mol et al.
