This collection of films focuses on the theme of trash, exploring various aspects of waste management, environmental impact, and societal attitudes towards rubbish. These films not only entertain but also educate viewers on the importance of sustainability and the consequences of our throwaway culture. From documentaries to dramas, each film provides a unique perspective on the global issue of waste.

The Cove (2009)
Description: While not exclusively about trash, this film addresses the environmental impact of dolphin hunting, which often results in significant waste and pollution in the ocean.
Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, highlighting its impact on environmental awareness.


Trash (2014)
Description: Based on the novel by Andy Mulligan, this film follows three Brazilian boys who find a wallet in a landfill, leading them into a dangerous adventure involving corruption and crime. It highlights the lives of those living amidst garbage.
Fact: The film was shot on location in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, providing an authentic backdrop to the story.


The True Cost (2015)
Description: This documentary explores the fashion industry's impact on the environment, including the waste generated by fast fashion, which often ends up in landfills.
Fact: The film was produced independently and has been used in educational settings to discuss sustainability in fashion.


The Age of Stupid (2009)
Description: This docu-drama features a future archivist looking back at the early 21st century, questioning why humanity did not act to prevent climate change. It includes real-life stories of people affected by environmental issues, including waste.
Fact: The film was crowdfunded, making it one of the first major films to use this method of financing.


Landfill Harmonic (2015)
Description: This documentary showcases the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, Paraguay, where instruments are made from trash found in a landfill, turning waste into music and hope.
Fact: The orchestra has performed worldwide, including at the United Nations and with Metallica.


Plastic China (2016)
Description: This documentary explores the lives of families in China who make a living from recycling plastic waste, highlighting the global trade in plastic trash and its environmental and human costs.
Fact: The film was banned in China but has been widely acclaimed internationally for its raw depiction of the recycling industry.


Waste Land (2010)
Description: Following artist Vik Muniz as he collaborates with garbage pickers from Rio's largest landfill, this documentary explores themes of art, waste, and human dignity.
Fact: The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, showcasing the transformative power of art.


Okja (2017)
Description: This film by Bong Joon-ho deals with the exploitation of nature and the food industry, where the disposal of waste plays a significant role in the narrative.
Fact: The film was released simultaneously on Netflix and in select theaters, marking a new distribution model.


WALL-E (2008)
Description: This animated film by Pixar tells the story of a robot named WALL-E, whose primary function is to clean up Earth, which has become a trash-covered wasteland. It's a poignant look at consumerism and environmental neglect.
Fact: WALL-E was the first Pixar film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival. It also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.


The World's Rubbish Dump (2010)
Description: This documentary investigates the global waste trade, focusing on how developed countries export their trash to poorer nations, creating environmental and health hazards.
Fact: The film was part of the BBC's "Panorama" series, known for its investigative journalism.
