Under the tangled roots of the Gabarre mangrove in Guadeloupe, a hidden environmental crisis has been growing for over 50 years. This lush coastal ecosystem, known for its ability to protect shorelines and support marine life, now lies under the weight of more than 2.17 million tons of waste. Since 1973, this area has been receiving garbage from a nearby landfill, which has long since exceeded its capacity. The PEPSEA project, led by the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), is now studying the impact of micro and nanoplastics on this fragile environment. Meanwhile, the Guadeloupe Region has set a goal of achieving zero waste by 2035, which includes building eight new waste disposal centers in Basse-Terre to ease the pressure on sites like Gabarre. At first glance, the Gabarre mangrove appears like any other coastal wetland in Guadeloupe. Its dense vegetation, brackish water, and complex root systems provide a home to various species. But just above the surface lies a landfill that has been operating for decades. Originally authorized to handle up to 105,000 tons of waste per year, the site has been pushed beyond its limits. The 2017 Hurricane Irma further strained the system, forcing authorities to expand the landfill into a nearby natural area to store the debris and wreckage left in the storm’s wake. This expansion has had lasting consequences, worsening the already fragile environmental balance of the region. Local residents have long been aware of the pollution affecting the area. Fishermen refer to a branch of the Salée River as the "caca river," a term that reflects the persistent waste and debris found in the water. Environmental groups have documented the extent of the problem, uncovering plastic waste, abandoned vehicles, and even dead animals trapped in the sediment. Guadeloupe residents produce about 558 kilograms of waste per year, significantly more than the average on the French mainland. This high waste output has placed immense pressure on the Gabarre landfill, which has been operating well beyond its intended capacity for decades. To better understand the long-term effects of this waste, the PEPSEA project has installed monitoring equipment directly in the Gabarre mangrove. Researchers are studying how micro and nanoplastics—tiny plastic particles that persist in the environment—move through the ecosystem. These particles, formed as larger plastic waste degrades, can enter the food chain, posing risks to marine life and potentially to human health. The sheer volume of waste, over 2.17 million tons since 1973, has turned the mangrove into a de facto waste disposal site, threatening its role as a natural barrier against coastal erosion and a refuge for wildlife. Efforts to clean up the area have been limited, with initiatives like the "Koudmen for the mangrove" campaign removing only 220 tons of waste. This is a small fraction of the total waste accumulated over the years. The situation has become so dire that an exceptional European derogation was needed to expand the landfill further. While the Guadeloupe Region has ambitious plans to achieve zero waste by 2035, including the construction of eight new waste centers, the challenge remains immense. The success of these efforts will depend on securing funding, political support, and public engagement. For now, the Gabarre mangrove continues to bear the burden of a waste crisis that has gone largely unaddressed for decades.