20 Cities Towards Zero Waste Initiative and International Day of Zero Waste

News: Ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste on 30 March, 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste Initiative has been initiated.

About 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste Initiative and International Day of Zero Waste

About 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste Initiative

• It highlights cities demonstrating ambitious and innovative approaches to reducing waste, advancing circular economy solutions, and building more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban systems.
• Initiative led by: The initiative is led by the U.N. Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste, with support from UN-Habitat and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). 
• Aim: It aims to –
  • Recognise city leadership and innovation
  • Promote exchange of good practices and lessons learned
  • Inspire other cities to accelerate their transition toward zero waste
• It contributes directly to the SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). 
• Selected cities: 20 cities including cities such as Accra (Ghana), Bologna (Italy), Chefchaouen (Morocco), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Dehiwala City (Sri Lanka), Florianópolis (Brazil), etc. have been identified. 
  • Varkala, Kerala, is the identified city in India.
  • The selected cities will be showcased on global platforms to share experiences and inspire further action.

About International Day of Zero Waste

• The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on 14 December 2022, during its 77th session, declaring 30 March as the International Day of Zero Waste.
• The Day is observed annually on 30 March across the world.
• The observance is facilitated by United Nations Human Settlements Programme and United Nations Environment Programme.
• Its main objective is to promote sustainable production and consumption patterns.
• It raises awareness about the importance of reducing waste generation, reusing materials, and recycling resources efficiently.