Crafting Local Circular Economies, But For Whom? The Politics of Waste in Communities and Spaces

The purpose of this paper is to deepen our understanding of the spatial politics of the circular economy through an ethnographic study of the network of public recycling stations in the municipality of Copenhagen, Denmark. By mobilizing Henry Lefebvre’s theories on the political production of space and his rhythm analysis, we address recent theoretical calls to explore the social implications of circular economy, beyond a limited focus on technological advancements and resource efficiency. To do so, we examine how spatial politics of public circular economy practices intersect with organizing spaces, revealing the role of conceived, perceived, and lived spaces in shaping circular economy practices. Our potential contribution is threefold. First, we extend the theoretical understanding of the politics of space in the context of circular economy. Second, we explore the role of public participation in shaping the spatial practices of circular economy, contributing to the ongoing discourse on the social implications of circular economy. Third, we address the emerging challenges and power dynamics in organizing spaces for circular economy, emphasizing the need for a spatial perspective to understand its socio-political implications.