Reconciling Material & Social Through Waste : The Case of Överskottet as an Alternative Way of Organizing Waste

Abstract: The problematization of waste surplus informed numerous decisions on local, national and international levels. However, the waste pollution problem is far from being solved. This paper attempts to explore an alternative way of organizing waste using the Actor-Network Theory, which argues for equality between humans and nonhumans. We are taking this approach and recognising the role of waste as an essential actor in the decision-making process around waste management. Based on a case study of a second-hand shop, so-called Överskottet, where wasted materials are being transported and processed by people with special needs. We showcased how these alternative ways can be implemented. This shop is part of a collaboration between the Waste Management Department and the Social Services Department of Gotland’s municipality, namely, Region Gotland. This collaboration is a perfect example of the connection between the material and the social. In our study, we are analysing connections between waste and humans on different levels (i.e. municipality departments, humans and wasted materials) and show how these connections create a collaborative network that has both social and environmental impact. We account for factors that strengthen and factors that weaken, thus destabilising the collaboration network. Finally, we highlighted how these collaborations require adapting the existing policies surrounding waste management.