The International Day of Zero Waste, observed annually on 30 March, highlights both the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Every year, humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. Some 2.7 billion people lack access to waste collection, 2 billion of whom live in rural areas. Waste pollution significantly threatens well-being, economic prosperity, and accelerates the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution. Without urgent action, annual municipal solid waste generation will hit 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050.
Millions worldwide observed the inaugural International Day of Zero Waste in 2023, raising awareness of national, subnational, regional, and local zero-waste initiatives and their contribution to achieving sustainable development. Zero-waste approaches can foster sound waste management and minimize and prevent waste generation.
Events
Join the movement to #BeatWastePollution by registering your International Day of Zero Waste event.