International Day of Zero Waste
International Day of Zero Waste is an annual observance celebrated on March 30. The United Nations General Assembly adopted it in December 2022. Over 105 countries proposed the resolution, following other high-level decisions focused on pollution.
International Day of Zero Waste is a day to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns. The day highlights the importance of minimizing waste through reuse, recycling, and responsible consumption while raising awareness of waste’s environmental, social, and economic impacts. Various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals, participate in activities and initiatives that contribute to zero-waste goals at national, regional, and local levels.
The initiative aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Read also: Five Promising Materials That Will Play a Lead Role in the Fight Against Plastic Pollution
International Day of Zero Waste encourages sustainable production and consumption habits and aims to increase awareness of how zero-waste projects accelerate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
How to celebrate:
- Minimize consumption
- Participate in or organize beach, park, or neighbourhood cleanup drives.
- Get creative with ways to invest in sustainable habits
- Advocate for better zero waste policies and practices
- Organize or attend workshops, webinars, or panel discussions on waste reduction and circular economy practices.
- Support circular economy initiatives like sustainable fashion and composting.
Fun Facts:
- Some landfills produce enough methane gas to generate electricity for thousands of homes.
- Composting food waste can reduce methane emissions, which are 25 times more harmful than CO₂ in trapping heat.
- If everyone in the U.S. used just one less paper towel per day, it would save 571 million pounds of paper waste each year
- Recycling one aluminium can saves enough energy to power a TV for 3 hours
#BeatWastePollution #ZeroWasteDay
