International Day of Zero Waste 2023

When: 30 March 2023

Where: Worldwide

More information: https://www.un.org/en/observances/zero-waste-day

The International Day of Zero Waste aims to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns and raise awareness about how zero-waste initiatives contribute to the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Humanity generates an estimated 2.24 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, of which only 55 per cent is managed in controlled facilities. By 2050, this could rise to 3.88 billion tons per year. The waste sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in urban settings and biodiversity loss. Around 931 million tons of food is wasted each year, and up to 37 million tons of plastic waste is expected to enter the ocean annually by 2040.

The United Nations General Assembly on 14 December 2022 formally recognized the importance of zero-waste initiatives and proclaimed 30 March as the International Day of Zero Waste, to be observed annually beginning in 2023.

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.

The United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat will facilitate the observance of the Day. All Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and relevant stakeholders are encouraged to implement zero-waste initiatives at local, regional, subnational and national levels.

UN EVENTS ON 30 MARCH

UN observance | CR-11, United Nations Headquarters, New York | 1:15–2:30 p.m. EST

UN-Habitat and UNEP observe Zero Waste Day alongside the Office of the President of the General Assembly and the Republic of Türkiye. The observance includes a moderated session featuring remarks from UN leaders and a keynote session from the Republic of Türkiye.

UNGA high-level meeting | General Assembly Hall, United Nations Headquarters, New York | 10 a.m. to 3 pm EST

The President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) convenes a high-level meeting to provide Member States and stakeholders a platform to exchange experiences and success stories in solid waste management, including zero-waste initiatives.

• First letter from the President of the General Assembly
• Second letter from the President of the General Assembly

UNEP/UN-Habitat observance | UN Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EAT

UNEP and UN-Habitat jointly host a moderated session to discuss the importance of Zero Waste Day and the benefits of zero waste. The observance is convened by the Governments of Kenya and Türkiye. Observance includes participation from government representatives, UN experts and representatives from various stakeholder groups.

UNEP/UN-Habitat Asia Pacific observance | UN Conference Center, Urban Engagement Space, Bangkok, Thailand | 9:45–11:30 a.m. ICT

UNEP, UN-Habitat and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) host a fireside chat during the 10th Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development. Sessions cover food waste, greening the blue, the informal sector and waste management. A field visit to Chula Zero Waste Initiative at Chulalongkorn University follows the closing session.

• Event page and registration

Geneva Environment Network conference | Online | 1–2:30 p.m. CEST

The UNEP-coordinated Geneva Environment Network hosts an online conference, in collaboration with UN-Habitat, featuring 10 speakers from across the UN system, environmental organizations, academia and governments. It celebrates the steps taken by actors in Geneva and beyond to move forward the zero-waste agenda.

• Event page and registration

FURTHER RESOURCES

• Zero Waste Day resources
• 'We Must Stop Trashing Our Only Home’, Declare War on Waste, UN Secretary-General Says, Marking First-Ever International Day
• UNEP's work on food waste
• UNEP's work on waste pollution
• UNEP's work on marine and coastal pollution
• UNEP's work on resource efficiency
• UNEP's work on chemicals waste
• ⁠UNSSC Sustainable Lifestyles course