Topos

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THE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN

Editor Letter

THE GREAT WASTE SEPARATION LIE • Here we are, dutifully separating our trash into neat little categories—plastic, paper, organic waste—because we’ve been led to believe that this simple, repetitive action can save the planet. It’s the most feel-good eco-lie since reusable shopping bags became trendy.

No questions left (over)

Napoli • Napoli, the city of art, culture, and… mountains of uncollected garbage. If there’s anything this picturesque Italian city is more famous for than its pizza, it’s the infamous waste crisis that plagued its streets for decades. And, of course, who better to solve this massive public health disaster than the Mafia—those charming businessmen with a heart of gold and a talent for turning chaos into cash.

Defenseless Heroes

FACTS I

Cities on zero waste • From Siquijor Island in the Philippines to the bustling city of San Francisco in the US, there is a stark contrast between the island’s pristine waterfalls and lush green mountains versus the towering city skyscrapers and fast-paced urban living. But despite these differences, one thing connects them: the journey towards zero waste, a shared pursuit that transcends geography. Let’s step back and identify the factors that have triggered this change.

PLASTIC WASTE

NEW YORK CITY: MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL • The rich and famous live in the Wilhelminian-style buildings of the Upper West Side, between Central Park and Riverside Drive: Yoko Ono, David Duchovny, Keanu Reeves, Donna Karan. But down on the pavements it looks like Calcutta: black plastic rubbish bags, loosely tied up newspaper parcels, an old mattress. It smells, liquids seep out of the slit open bags, and in between fat, fearless rats scurrying from piles of rubbish to bins. Rubbish in New York: an eternal problem that is being solved elsewhere.

FOOD WASTE

THE ZERO WASTE MAN • Living a zero waste lifestyle might seem like a daunting challenge to many, but for Robin Greenfield it’s a joyful mission to inspire change. With his bright outlook and down-to-earth approach, he’s proving that reducing waste isn’t just possible — it’s empowering. Through his actions and engaging communication, he shows that even small steps can make a big difference for our planet.

FAST FASHION

KIEL: FIRTH FOR FUTURE • In 2021, an average of 620 kilograms of municipal waste per inhabitant was generated in Germany. This is according to data from the Federal Statistical Office. This was well above the EU average of 527 kilograms of waste per EU citizen. Kiel thinks it’s high time something changed. As Germany’s first certified “zero waste” city, the port city wants to actively drive forward a reduction in waste.

FACTS II

DAR ES SALAAM: LET’S SORT THINGS OUT • As one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities, Dar es Salaam faces significant challenges in waste management, generating an estimated 4,600 tons of waste per day. While the city has attempted to address this through various projects, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient segregation of waste at source, and growing urbanization continue to pose obstacles.

ENERGY WASTE

CHINA: A LONG WAY UP • China – the global leader in terms of production capacity and population. But also the world’s largest waste producer. This article provides insights into China’s waste challenge and its transformation towards zero waste.

METHANE WASTE

BANGLADESH: AGAINST ALL ODDS • One of the main...