PURPOSE: The International Day of Zero Waste observed every year on March 30th aims to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, support the societal shift towards circularity and raise awareness on how zero-waste initiatives contribute to the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The waste sector contributes significantly to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution. Humanity generates an estimated 2.24 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, of which only 55% is managed in controlled facilities. Every year, around 931 million tons of food is lost or wasted and up to 14 million tons of plastic waste enters aquatic ecosystems. Zero Waste Day reminds us of our individual and collective responsibility to reduce waste.
FORUM: “Reaching the zero-waste goal.” International Day of Zero Waste 2024. Climate change and conflicts are unfortunate examples of current interlocking crises. Being one of the aspects of these challenges, waste generation and associated pollution threaten the global environment and human health. Waste pollution threatens human health, costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars a year, and aggravates the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution. Boosting waste management at all levels remains an urgent priority. To solve the waste pollution crisis, humanity must fully embrace a zero-waste approach. This entails responsible production and consumption patterns through promoting a life cycle approach. In 2020, the global direct cost of waste management was estimated to be at USD 252 billion. When factoring in the hidden costs of pollution, poor health and climate change from poor waste disposal practices, the cost rises to USD 361 billion. Without urgent action on waste management, by 2050 this global annual cost could almost double to a staggering USD 640.3 billion. However, the report’s modelling shows that getting waste under control by taking waste prevention and management measures could limit net annual costs by 2050 to USD 270.2 billion. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #sdg12,#zerowasteDay, #30March.
EVENTS: Worldwide observance of the International Day of Zero Waste 2024. To celebrate the second annual International Day of Zero Waste, offices and partners from around the world are invited to organize activities and events, including creative exhibits, panel discussions, social media campaigns, training sessions and waste collection drives.
On March 26th, 2024; The UNEP, UN-Habitat and partners will organize a webinar entitled’ ’ Zero Waste Futures’ | Online | 10–11:30 a.m. ET, 4–5:30 p.m. CET, 6–7:30 p.m. EAT..The UNEP International Environment Technology Centre, the Caribbean Sub-Regional Office (CSRO) and the Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP (CYMG) will co-organize this online event targeting stakeholders across regions and oceans, especially youth and experts to promote the global shift towards zero waste. Register to participate.
South-East Europe Pollution Platform | Vienna & online | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CET (26 March); 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (27 March). The conference aims to facilitate and foster discussions on current and innovative strategies, possibilities, policies and practices that promote waste prevention, reduction, recycling, and circular economy principles to create a cleaner and healthier environment in the Western Balkan economies. Additionally, it will actively encourage collaboration amongst different actors and sectors, aiming to promote sustainable practices and the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies. Learn more and register.
On March 27th, 2024 - the United nations observance of the CR-12, starting at 10–11:30 a.m. ET will be held in United Nations Headquarters, New York.Member States and stakeholders are invited to share initiatives promoting zero waste at various levels to reduce waste generation and enhance responsible waste management.
UNEP/UN-Habitat observance | CR-4, United Nations Office at Nairobi | 3–4:30 p.m. EAT.The UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste will announce outstanding zero-waste practices during the event, which is co-organized with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Türkiye. Tune in.
UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024 launch | Online | 8:30–9:30 a.m. EDT, 1:30–2:30 p.m. CET, 3:30–4:30 p.m. EAT. The UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024 authors, government representatives, and food waste and loss experts share their expertise through discussions of the report’s key findings. Tune in.
Geneva Environment Network; On March “30th; online | 2–3:30 p.m. CET | 2–3:30 p.m. CET for the occasion of the second observation of the International Day of Zero Waste, will held a webinar and in person-event will align with the objectives of raising awareness of national, subnational, regional and local zero-waste initiatives and their contributions to advance the beat waste pollution agenda. This event will highlight the role of Geneva as a major global hub for the governance of hazardous substances and home to several international organizations and multilateral environmental agreements aiming at reaching the zero-waste goal, and will celebrate the steps taken by actors to move forward the zero-waste agenda. Register to participate to the event!
On March 30th, the GAIA will held a panel discussion entitled ‘‘The Year of Zero Waste: From Momentum to Action’’ | Online | 9 a.m. CET, 11 a.m. EAT, 1:30 p.m. IST, 9 p.m. NZDT. Policymakers, grassroots community leaders, climate and waste finance experts, and zero-waste implementers discuss how to escalate progress on zero waste worldwide based on current trends, obstacles and proven strategies. Register.
On March 30th, a webinar entitled ‘‘Zero-waste City Construction: A sustainable action to beat waste pollution.’’ will be held Online | 11 p.m. EET, 12 p.m. EAT, 5 p.m. CST.City representatives from Australia, Brazil, China, Lebanon and New Zealand showcase practices of zero-waste initiatives in different regions. Register.
Get involved in the 2024 Zero Waste Month workshops, conferences and awareness raising campaign!
Week of 1 April - Global Zero Waste: Día Mundial Basura Cero | Online | 3 April; 9 a.m. COT, 3 p.m. CET: Global Zero Waste will host keynote speeches and share success stories and presentations of new challenges. Learn more.
Week of 11 March - Zero Waste Europe: Impactful policies | Online; The second week of Zero Waste Europe's month-long International Zero Waste Day campaign focuses on impactful policies. Learn more.
Northern California Recycling Association: Recycling Update | California, United States | 11 March; 8 a.m. PDT; NCRA's Recycling Update features 25 experts on the spectrum of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot, as well as networking opportunities and plenty of ideas. Learn more.
Week of 4 March - Zero Waste Europe: Prevention first | Online. The First Week of Zero Waste Europe's month-long International Zero Waste Day campaign focuses on prevention first. Learn more.
Explore the list of upcoming worldwide activities, conferences and workshops and the events maps!
PUBLICATIONS: Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 - In response to Resolution 2/7 from the second session (UNEP/EA.2/RES.7) of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and reaffirmed in Resolution 4/7 from its fourth session (UNEP/EA.4/RES.7). Jointly published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), the Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 report provides an update on global waste generation and the cost of waste and its management. Municipal solid waste generation is predicted to grow from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. Only 62 percent of this waste is managed in controlled facilities. Some 2.7 billion people lack access to solid waste collection. Download the report.
PODCASTS: Waste mismanagement is a significant contributor to the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss and pollution. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Reducing waste for a Greener Future. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
The United Nations General Assembly by the resolution 77/161 of 14 December 2022 designated March 30th as the International Day of Zero Waste is aimed at raising awareness of national, subnational, regional and local zero-waste initiatives and their contribution to achieving sustainable development.
Waste mismanagement is a significant contributor to the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss and pollution. To combat this problem, it is necessary to take action at the individual, local and regional levels.
Zero-waste initiatives can foster sound waste management and minimize and prevent waste. This contributes to reducing pollution, mitigating the climate crisis, conserving biodiversity, enhancing food security and improving human health.
Zero Waste Day highlights vital individual, local and regional actions.
Raise awareness and provide a platform to promote sustainable and environmentally sound practices of preventing, minimizing and managing waste through resource efficiency and responsible production and consumption of products in a closed, circular system.
Share good practices from local and national zero-waste initiatives as catalytic tools for the promotion of sustainable consumption and production patterns, in addition to supporting the eco-design of products and enhancing the stakeholder participation in the process.
Promote multi-stakeholder partnerships to scale up the implementation of sustainable consumption, production, and circularity policies and programs. utilizing tools such as education, traditions, norms, and social values in reducing and recycling waste following sustainable consumption and production.
Advocate best practices for the recognition of the International Day of Zero Waste to the main stakeholders and raise awareness for consumer behavioral change, innovation and new technologies, sustainable urban planning, and investments in green infrastructure to prevent wasteful use of natural resources.
The International Day of Zero Waste is co-organized by the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Environment Programme, the UN-Habitat, the World Wildlife Fund. With the engagement of Member States, organizations of the UN system, other international and regional organizations, and other relevant stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, and academia.
It’s time to build public and private partnership to underscore the critical importance of collective action in driving forward zero-waste initiatives by.
Increasing the knowledge about the importance of Zero Waste and its potential to protect the environment and promote sustainability.
Showcase zero-waste initiatives and success stories from Member States and good practices selected by the Advisory Board on Zero Waste.
Encourage governments, individuals, communities, and organizations to adopt Zero Waste principles and practices and to take action to rethink, reduce and recover waste.