Perspektif Etis Ensiklik Laudato Si’ tentang “Budaya Sekali Pakai”

Abstract

Throw-away culture is a modern society's habit of viewing goods as something of short-term value, easily discarded, and quickly replaced without any attempt to repair, reuse, or recycle. This pattern accelerates waste production, resource exploitation, and deepens the ecological crisis highlighted by Pope Francis in Laudato Si', particularly regarding his bias toward the poor. This study, using a qualitative approach based on literature, examines the relationship between throwaway culture, the teachings of Laudato Si', and the social crisis. The results indicate that the root of the problem lies in anthropocentrism that places humans at the center, so that nature is treated as an object of consumption and social relations are distorted. The pattern of "throwing away" goods has expanded into a pattern of "throwing away" of humans, especially vulnerable groups, which is evident in inequality, extreme poverty, and social conflict. Thus, the ecological and social crisis constitutes an ethical crisis that demands a solution through integral ecology and real solidarity.