Let's face it: we live in a fantasy world, convinced that the only way is up. We measure economic growth as the sum of the value of what we produce. So we produce as much as we can and disregard the consequences. This is what we call ‘progress’. The outcome? We are overwhelmed by the waste we produce.

Let’s look at some numbers:

• 99% of the products we buy last less than 6 months. 
• 30% of our food is wasted.
• 40% of the clothes we produce are never sold or used. 
• 50% of the medicine we manufacture ends up as trash.
• 2 billion tons of solid waste is produced each year, and that number is rising fast.

What we call ‘economic growth’ today is essentially industrial production output. That is way too limited considering the complex societies we live in. Yet every major decision made anywhere around the world is underpinned by its potential to contribute to this type of ‘economic growth’. The resulting damage to the world we live in - and therefore to mankind - is immeasurable, to the extent that it threatens our survival. 

On top of the environmental damage, economic growth as we define it today, leads to severe disruption of societies in every part of the world. It feeds inequality and it triggers violent organised crime, destabilising regions, countries and entire continents. Billions of dollars are spent on lobby groups to keep things as they are and continue adding to the problems. Around the globe industries consciously avoid taking responsibility and use PR tactics to shift the blame to consumers.

But while it seems hard to turn the tide, there are people who work tirelessly to come up with alternatives to the current gospel of economic growth. Some, like Jørgen Randers as co-author of The Limits to Growth, have been propagating change for more than five decades. The chorus of people designing and embracing a new narrative is growing and spreading around the globe. The alternatives they offer are viable and within reach. They bring a much needed spark of hope to a dire situation that affects us all. 

While Waste Junkies paints a gruesome picture of where we stand today, its key message is about hope and change. How can we design an economy that hits the sweet spot and meets the needs of all, within the limits of our planet? After watching Waste Junkies, people will go to bed knowing that something can be done.

When creator Thomas Loudon started working on this film, his initial idea was to investigate waste as a topic. In the course of his research, he found that the real issue was not waste but humanities addiction to the gospel of economic growth.  In fact, Thomas became convinced that it is high time for a major turnaround at the systemic level to mend our totally broken economic system.

Thomas decided to commit himself fully to the cause. As an investigative journalist, the only way he knows how is through storytelling. 

Since then others have joined him in his quest. High-end documentary  film production house Scenery immediately saw the potential and jumped on board. An amazing team of researchers, investigative journalists, scientists, movie directors, cinematographers, sound technicians, editors, producers and post producers was formed. And last but not least, highly reputed partners pledged their support and started contributing their network and knowledge. In the end, our current definition of economic growth is nothing but a story, designed not even very long ago. A bad story, as it turns out. The team behind Waste Junkies is highly motivated to replace it by a a new narrative of a healthy economy on a thriving planet.