Overview

Every day, nearly 3 million tonnes of waste are produced worldwide. When we think of major cities, we often picture skyscrapers, modern transit systems, and vibrant neighborhoods. What we rarely consider are the thousands of tonnes of garbage generated by the people who live, work, or simply pass through these cities. Yet waste management is a fundamental part of urban life. Without effective systems for garbage, recycling, and composting, cities can quickly become overwhelmed by pollution, posing serious public health risks.

In Espèces d’ordures, host Frédéric Choinière takes viewers on a global journey through ten major cities across five continents. His mission: to uncover the greenest, most innovative, and most effective initiatives for managing waste and rethinking its role in our lives. From San Francisco’s massive recycling center to plastic-wood houses in Bogotá and ocean clean-up efforts around Honolulu, the series reveals how some municipalities manage to stay clean despite the relentless tide of trash.