In response to the worsening impacts of waste on human health, the economy and the environment, the world marked the first-ever International Day of Zero Waste on March 30, 2023.
- The day encourages everyone to prevent and minimise waste and promoting a societal shift towards a circular economy.
Key points
- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) established the day in response to the worsening impacts of waste on human health, the economy and the environment.
- It was established through a UN General Assembly resolution that followed other resolutions on waste, including the 2 March 2022 UN Environment Assembly’s commitment to advance a global agreement to end plastic pollution.
- According to UN, humanity generates more than 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, of which 45 per cent is mismanaged. Without urgent action, municipal solid waste will double to almost 4 billion tons each year by 2050.
- Waste comes in all forms and sizes – including plastics, debris from mining and construction sites, electronics and food. It disproportionately impacts the poor, with up to 4 billion people lacking access to controlled disposal facilities.
