Metals, minerals, food and water – these are some of the many essential materials we waste every year. Material and resource use has risen by more than three times over the last 50 years, and continues to grow by the day.
International Day of Zero Waste, observed on 30 March 2024 and led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) brings attention to the world’s unsustainable production and consumption that is driving the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.
As a torrent of trash threatens ecosystem health, human well-being and economic prosperity, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen says that on this Zero Waste Day, we should “remember that nature doesn’t waste. And nor should we.”
International Day of Zero Waste, observed on 30 March 2024 and jointly facilitated by UNEP and UN-Habitat, raises awareness of the importance of waste management and responsible consumption and production practices for sustainable development. The Day calls on everyone to embrace a lifecycle approach, which entails reducing resource use and emissions to the environment throughout all stages of products’ life cycles.
