Overview

The International Day of Zero Waste, observed annually on 30 March, highlights both the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Every year, humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. Some 2.7 billion people lack access to waste collection, 2 billion of whom live in rural areas. Waste pollution significantly threatens well-being, economic prosperity, and accelerates the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution. Without urgent action, annual municipal solid waste generation will hit 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050.

Millions worldwide observed the inaugural International Day of Zero Waste in 2023, raising awareness of national, subnational, regional, and local zero-waste initiatives and their contribution to achieving sustainable development. Zero-waste approaches can foster sound waste management and minimize and prevent waste generation. 

Statements on the International Day of Zero Waste 2024

Statement by the Secretary-General of the United Nations
Statement by the Acting Executive Director of UN-Habitat
Statement by the Executive Director of UNEP
Statement by the First Lady of Türkiye

News and stories

UN Advisory Board on zero waste highlights waste management best practices.

27 March 2024 - UN Advisory Board on zero waste outlines good ...

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An aerial shot of waste pollution next to vegetation

28 March 2024 - Nine key steps to overcoming the waste pollution crisis

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About the Internation Day of Zero Waste

On 14 December 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution at its seventy-seventh session to proclaim 30 March as International Day of Zero Waste, to be observed annually. The International Day of Zero Waste encourages sustainable production and consumption habits and aims at increasing awareness of how zero-waste projects accelerate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) facilitate the observance of the Day.  

Join the movement to #BeatWastePollution by registering your International Day of Zero Waste event.

Publications

Governments, businesses, individuals and more must embrace zero waste to overcome the waste pollution crisis. UN-Habitat and its partners, including UNEP, regularly update the science on waste pollution and research new solutions. Browse the latest reports below to find out everything you need to know to #BeatWastePollution.

Resources and videos