International Zero Waste Month 2024

IZWM Highlights

In case you missed it! Here’s a rundown of some of the key events during the International Zero Waste Month.

• The Zero Waste Film screenings 2024 featured inspiring documentaries produced by GAIA Asia Pacific members. Link here
• Hundreds worldwide joined Refuse Single-Use Day! See how everyone got creative on their posts on Facebook | RSU Facebook | Instagram
• Financing Plastic Pollution webinar: The Financing Plastic Pollution webinar conducted last January 25, amassed 166 registered participants, 77 in live attendance, and 53 views on the recording. Impressively, 81 participants joined from outside the Asia-Pacific region, and  41 AP members. The webinar is the first of its kind on the plastic pollution financing ecosystem, fostering collaboration among diverse actors and regions on the plastic crisis discussions. It is the first webinar that addressed the role of financing subsidies in plastic pollution. The event received high registration, and demonstrated substantial interest from members and allies on the issue, and the significance of the topic within the network. Link to recording
• Let’s support our waste pickers and waste workers. Click the link and explore GAIA members working towards a just transition. Link here. 

East Asia

• CHINA: A Community Workshop on Waste Solutions and Alternatives to Waste Incineration explored real solutions for waste problems facing the city of Wuhu. Local community leaders discussed implementable solutions to waste problems. Wuhu Ecology Center presented its results on research of information disclosure of waste incineration facilities around the country. Learn more here
• HONG KONG: Greeners Fusion Chinese New Year Refill Shopping Tasting Event, launched on January 21, is a public education campaign encouraging public members to enjoy zero packaging shopping spree as well as educational sharing at Greeners Fusion- GA’s first refill shopping concept store in Sha Tin. It allowed participants to have their first taste of package-free shopping before Chinese New Year. Another event on January 22, was organized for members only with the same purpose. Link here

Pacific

• AUSTRALIA: Compost Carpool reminds everyone that there are tons of things you can do to reduce waste! Link here
• NEW ZEALAND: Together with GAIA, Zero Waste Network Aotearoa declared January 6 as REFUSE SINGLE USE DAY with tips to incorporate simple steps into your life to avoid single-use items, carry a refillable water bottle, coffee cup, and takeaway container, commit to avoiding single-use takeaways without reusable containers, and advocate for SUC-free cities by encouraging local councils to establish easy and affordable reuse and refill systems. Link here

South Asia

• INDIA: Eco Circular India Foundation, Cummins India Foundation, Mudhoji College, Phaltan Nagar Parishad, and Forest Division, Phaltan have jointly kicked off the International Zero Waste Month celebration in Phaltan with a musical show at Forest Garden! The event emphasized the importance of zero waste, composting, and combating plastic pollution. Energizing street plays also took place at key public locations like the city bus stand, market, and Mudhoji College campus, ensuring the message resonates throughout Phaltan. 🎉link here
• BANGLADESH: Documentary showcasing ESDO’s Initiative on Zero Waste Village (ZWV), complemented by a workshop on combating plastic pollution. During the workshop, participants actively engaged in collaborative discussions and generated ideas to address plastic pollution in their respective communities. Link here
• SRI LANKA: The Centre for Environmental Justice invited everyone to share their efforts in reducing single-use plastics. The event, which took place in the Colombo district, specifically in Borella, Nugegoda, and Colombo Fort, targeted the general public, including students and youth. As part of the event, CEJ screened movies related to plastic pollution and distributed educational leaflets on plastic alternatives, encouraging the adoption of refill and reuse systems.  Link here
• NEPAL. Health Environment and Climate Action Foundation (HECAF360) has successfully organized the Zero Waste Clinic during International Zero Waste Month 2024. Link here

Southeast Asia

• INDONESIA: Reuse Study Tour & Conference: Co-organized with Dietplastik Indonesia, The Reuse Tour in Jakarta, Indonesia, from January 8-12, witnessed the participation of 38 individuals in the study tour and around 60 in the conference with participants from outside the Asia Pacific region. The diverse cohort comprised representatives from the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, and members of the Aliansi Zero Waste Indonesia.  Local government officials from the region and social enterprises were also present. Other than insightful site visits delving into reuse practices across different products and services, with a particular focus on daily essentials and the food and beverage industry, this event also launched the Asia Reuse Consortium, a groundbreaking initiative comprising 18 individuals from civil society organizations, businesses, and government officials from 13 countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam united by a mission to champion reuse as a practical, sustainable, and effective solution to SUPs. Ripples of a Revolution | Study Tour link | Conference link | Asia Reuse Consortium link | Link to conference recording
• MALAYSIA: The Symposium co-organized by GAIA and  Friends of the Earth Malaysia presented situational analysis and updated knowledge on waste-to-energy (WtE) incineration from speakers from key Asia Pacific countries, namely China, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia and experiences of Zero Waste Europe.  The main aim is to debunk waste-to-energy incineration and promote zero-waste. Link to recording |  Learn more here I Link to the News Release
• PHILIPPINES: Southeast Asia Regional Consultation on Just Transition: The SEA Regional Consultation on Just Transition, held in Manila, Philippines last February 2-3, gained the active participation of 35 attendees, including 2 participants from Ocean Conservancy who are outside the Asia-Pacific region serving as observers. The consultation featured insights from 11 waste pickers and waste workers who engaged in meaningful discussions about their conditions, and contributions to society, and outlined the support they require. This provided a comprehensive understanding of the diverse needs and perspectives within the community. Despite using different terms, the articulated needs and aspirations of the waste pickers and waste workers are closely aligned, reflecting a collective vision for a just transition in the region. This will inform further refinement of the vision and principles for the SEA Regional Consultation on Just Transition. Link here.  
• THAILAND: Catch Environmental Justice Foundation’s series of articles inspiring stories of people behind zero waste initiatives in Thailand! Link here
• VIETNAM: Reuse Station – Gian hàng Tái sử dụng is a communication event to bring local residents’ attention to reuse as an effective solution for waste reduction, particularly plastic waste in the environment. Link here

Other regions

• CHILE: Conversatorio “La crisis de los plásticos y el proceso del tratado global. Conversation open to the general public that will address how plastics have created a crisis on our planet, and the opportunity that the global treaty process gives us to stop plastic pollution and to take global measures to reduce the production of this toxic material. Link here
• GHANA:  GAYO launches Anti Plastic Earth! This event is fullpacked  with a series of activities, including education, clean-ups, brand audits, and recycling workshops to curb plastic pollution in the Northern region of Ghana through community sensitization and engagement. The event was launched in January with media publicity through TV/ radio interviews and social media campaigns.
• HUNGARY: Debunking myths about disposable packaging. Learn more here

• KENYA: Triple Planetary Crisis Symposium: Uniting for Sustainable Solutions. This public knowledge-sharing event, held at Multimedia University, aimed to address environmental challenges and was attended by students and youth from various universities in Nairobi. The symposium featured panel discussions led by experts from various sectors, focusing on pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Link here
• NIGERIA: The Environmental Rights Action / Friends of the Earth, the Zero Waste Ambassadors engaged in a radio discussion across three Nigerian cities: Benin City, Uyo, and Yenagua. The conversation revolved around the crucial role of brands in tackling plastic pollution. Link here
• Zero Waste Europe highlighting the critical importance of reuse systems that will bring us closer to a zero waste world. Learn more here

You can catch up on all IZWM2024 activities by checking out GAIA Asia Pacific’s Facebook | Instagram and social media channels of our members. Plus, you can find them right here on the IZWM website too!