CHARM-EU marks the inaugural International Day of Zero Waste
On 30th March 2023, CHARM-EU is championing the International Day of Zero Waste, promoting sustainable consumption and production practices and supporting the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
New recognition for zero-waste initiatives
In December 2022, the United National General Assembly recognised the importance of zero-waste initiates and formally declared the 30th March as the International Day of Zero Waste.
Globally, 2.24 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated annually, of which 45% is not managed in controlled facilities. This contributes significantly to greenhouse emissions and biodiversity loss and is projected to increase to 3.88 billion tonnes by 2050.
What is waste?
Anything that is thrown out or considered unusable is waste. Every minute, the equivalent of one rubbish truck of plastic is dumped into the ocean, endangering wildlife and damaging ecosystems. Over-production is a central problem in waste generation: resource extraction is responsible for half the world’s carbon emissions, while food waste is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
A zero-waste approach requires responsible production, consumption and disposal of products in a closed, circular system in which resources are reused or recycled as much as possible and pollution is minimised.
Zero-waste initiatives can help to close the loop as products are designed to be more durable using fewer, low-impact materials. Demand can be managed to reduce over-production and waste, while changes in consumer behaviour can extend products’ lifetime through careful use, recycling, and repair.
CHARM-EU's commitment to sustainable production, consumption and disposal
CHARM-EU aims to provide a model for economic, social, and environmental sustainability that is open, diverse and inclusive to all. The Alliance is strategically rethinking the role of European universities in the face of today’s global challenges, of which global sustainability is a pivotal issue. Students of CHARM-EU's Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability study topics including Economics for Sustainability and the role of intergovernmental organisations in addressing global sustainability challenges, among many others.
Initiatives like the UN’s International Day of Zero Waste provide another opportunity for CHARM-EU to promote and support Sustainable Development Goal 11 and Sustainable Development Goal 12. Above all, they are an effective call to action for individuals, producers, designers, policy-makers, governments, and others to consider how they can implement zero-waste initiatives and practices in their work and daily lives.
Spread the word!
Take action this International Day of Zero Waste and see how you can reduce your consumption, reuse existing products, and repair what you can to give your possessions a second lease of life!
Share your story and join the global conversation using #ZeroWasteDay and #BeatWastePollution.
References
United Nations, International Day of Zero Waste
United Nations Environment Programme, International Day of Zero Waste
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Sustainable Development Goals