GAIA is engaging with the Zero Waste Forum (taking place in Istanbul, Türkiye June 5-7, 2026) to uplift the vital importance of community-led zero waste solutions that address climate change, reduce reliance on waste disposal, and improve environmental health. These approaches are designed to stop waste before it starts, and move away from relying on waste disposal in landfills and incinerators. This means adhering to the definition of zero waste as set by the Zero Waste International Alliance:

“Zero Waste: The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.”