The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) channels $270 billion in tax credits for climate investments but raises concerns about incineration—a false solution to waste disposal that could generate 637.7 million tonnes of CO2e emissions over two decades, further harming the environment and disadvantaged communities. This resource highlights the key points of our recent article, including available funds for EJ organizations.
REDUCCIÓN DE PLÁSTICOS: EL CASO DE SAN PEDRO LA LAGUNA
Latin America & the Caribbean - -
El Municipio de San Pedro La Laguna se ubica en el Departamento de Sololá, en Guatemala. De población indígena, Tzutuhil, es uno de los 14 municipios que integran la cuenca del Lago Atitlán, uno de los cuerpos de agua más bellos del país. En septiembre de 2016, el Alcalde Municipal tomó una propuesta ciudadana y aprobó mediante Acuerdo Municipal (ordenanza municipal) una prohibición al uso y comercialización de pajillas y bolsas plásticas de un solo uso, así como de productos de poliestireno (conocido localmente como duroport). La prohibición levantó inmediatamente una serie de reacciones que llegaron a casi todos los alrededores del país. Tres años después, tras haber ganado una demanda que interpusieron los industriales del plástico, la norma sigue vigente y cuenta con aceptación de buena parte de la población. Los habitantes del pueblo considerando que han cambiado e, indican, ese cambio es para siempre. Como corolario, la iniciativa de San Pedro La Laguna y de al menos otros 17 municipios del país ha escalado: en septiembre de 2019 el gobierno de Guatemala prohibió el uso y distribución de bolsas, pajillas, vasos, platos, mezcladores y recipientes para alimentos hechos de plásticos desechables a partir de 2021.
En 2021 el equipo regional de GAIA LAC junto al ingeniero agrónomo y miembro de GAIA Javier Souza idearon una fórmula de trabajo que explora en dichas intersecciones y promueve la interacción y el diálogo entre actores diversos, desde temáticas diversas que en el diálogo y el aprendizaje encuentran poderosos puntos de encuentro. Este primer proceso se desarrolló durante 8 meses y este documento relata la experiencia para recoger aprendizajes y ser replicada en el futuro. Hasta el momento, este taller ha sido ofrecido ya 2 veces, y en 2023 vamos con la tercera versión.
Ours is a vibrant, multidisciplinary, and multicultural team modelling a future where power sharing and collective knowledge creates flourishing zero waste cities around the world. Our regional offices coordinate closely with regional members and national or regional boards/advisory committees, and are advised by the GAIA Global Advisory Hub and global membership. Formally, we operate as three registered nonprofit organizations (GAIA Philippines, GAIA USA, and Zero Waste Europe).
Originally from India, Aditi grew up in China and is now based in New York City. Her academic background centers on environmental justice, and she is pursuing a Master of Urban Planning at New York University. Aditi was a community organizer prior to joining GAIA and is fiercely dedicated to building a world that values people and the planet before profit.
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Communications Associate, GAIA Global
Agnes Mampusti
Agnes is GAIA’s Global Digital Communications Associate based in the Philippines. Prior to moving back to Manila, she was a Publishing Manager for over thirteen business and lifestyle publications in Malaysia. Since then, Agnes has fallen in love with pursuing worthy advocacies through her work on communications and digital media for international organizations including the British Council. When not glued to social media for #trendingtopics, she can be found consuming media about (and by) empowered women.
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Climate and Anti-Incineration Campaigner
Albrecht Arthur N. Arevalo
Brex Arevalo is a climate and environmental justice advocate with over five years of experience working with youth, civil society, and faith-based organizations. He recently completed a graduate degree in Global Studies at Sophia University in Tokyo, where he wrote a thesis about climate justice in Southeast Asia. Alongside his studies, he worked with KASA Sustainability in organizing sustainability-related events for local and international audiences, and running a campus farm based on circular economics. Brex previously played a lead role with the 2030 Youth Force in the Philippines in promoting youth-led collaborations around the Sustainable Development Goals through workshops, policy lobbying, and events. He also worked with faith communities through the Ecojesuit global ecology network, where he played key roles in UN-connected engagements and Global Climate Strike actions highlighting local and indigenous communities.
Zero Waste and Plastics Advisor for GAIA Latin America & the Caribbean
Alejandra Parra
Alejandra is a Biologist specialized in Natural Resource Management and holds a Masters’ Degree in Planning. She is a co-founding member of the Chilean organization RADA (Red de Acción por los Derechos Ambientales). Alejandra is an environmental activist with more than 20 years of experience. She has also implemented citizen environmental education programs, zero waste strategies at the local level, and developed advocacy actions aiming to impact public policies a the regional, national, and international levels.
Administration and Events Officer for Zero Waste Europe
Alexandra Clipa
Alexandra has a background in International Relations and European Studies and a Master in Political Science from Université libre de Bruxelles. She has always been interested in topics such as sustainability, economics and development studies. She has previously worked for a company specialized in the production of organic, fair trade and sustainable ingredients from the Amazon Rainforest, and through this activity she has become more aware of the importance of climate protection and the necessity to adopt a much healthier and eco-friendly lifestyle.
Head of Operations for Zero Waste Europe
Alice Marquet
As Head of Operations, Alice oversees the effective day-to-day operations of the organisation: HR, finance, and legal. With the operations team, she makes sure ZWE’s company culture and values are reflected throughout the organisation and that we enable everyone to be successful in their roles.
Head of Policy for Zero Waste Europe
Aline Maigret
As the Head of Policy, Aline is responsible for coordinating the policy team of ZWE and for representing the organization in policy discussions. She ensures strategic coherence and vision for the EU and global policy work, and support ZWE’s policy team working on topics ranging from product design to waste disposal.
To sum up: bringing ZWE policy efforts together.
Zero Waste Cities Program Officer for GAIA Asia Pacific
Ambily Adithyan
Ambily is a sustainability practitioner with deep interest in solving local environmental issues. She actively works towards improving her city’s waste management practices through behavioural change and community engagement model. She is experienced in program strategy & delivery, research and program led advocacy across development and waste management sector.
Head of Communications at Zero Waste Europe
Ana Oliveira
Ana’s previous work experiences include EU institutions, NGOs, and private sector communication companies, where she was responsible for strategic communications, business development, and project communications. Environmental topics have been a constant throughout her career, be it through the link between health and environment, sustainability in the building sector, and the promotion of eco-innovative business practices. Ana holds a BA in Communications Sciences from the University of Porto and a MA in European Studies from KU Leuven. She speaks Portuguese, English, Dutch, French, and Italian.
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Global Plastics Policy Director, GAIA Global
Ana Rocha
Ana is an environmentalist who serves as an amplifier of voices from the Global South to global engagements. She is Brazilian and has been permanently living in Tanzania since 2010. Ana became an activist as a child during Rio1992, “the Earth Summit”, and built over 30 years of local, national, regional, and global advocacy. She is a Zero Waste implementer and plastic advocate with over 15 years of service in grassroots organizations aiming to create positive systemic change in the waste sector and build the foundation for a socially-just and climate-resilient world.
Ana is GAIA’s Director of the Global Plastics Program, providing leadership and strategic vision to GAIA’s international plastic policy work.
Senior Science Advisor
Andrew Rollinson
Andrew Rollinson has a PhD in chemical reactor engineering from the University of Leeds. He has worked for ten years in academia where he built and operated two full-scale gasifiers, set up his own commercial consultancy, and has been an expert witness on numerous gasification and pyrolysis permit applications. Andrew first began assisting UKWIN in 2014 and has since become increasingly involved with the wider GAIA network. In recent years this has been largely advising on chemical recycling. Having a legal background, Andrew is GAIA’s representative on numerous Basel Convention working groups. Ironically, the author of a book on how to succeed with gasification, he spends a lot of time now explaining why the technology cannot work with plastic waste.
Regional Movement-Building Officer for GAIA Asia Pacific
Archie Abellar
Archie started his environmental activism in 2005 as a direct dialogue campaigner in an environmental and protest organization. He has a background in history and occupational therapy. Prior to going GAIA, he worked as community organizer in an inclusive community-based disaster risk reduction and management project of a faith-based organization in the Philippines.
Plastic Policy Officer for GAIA Asia Pacific
Arpita Bhagat
Arpita is the Plastic Policy Officer for the Asia Pacific region. Her work focuses on strengthening the capacity and engagement of members in Global and national advocacy work towards plastic production caps, advancing Zero Waste policies, just transition for waste pickers and workers, and phasing out false solutions. Since 2012, she has worked across international and Indian organizations leading public mobilization, advocacy, and movement-building campaigns and programs across diverse issues including clean energy, sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient cities, gender justice, and plastics.
Digital Communications Associate for GAIA Asia Pacific
Belmiro Soekarno
Belmiro graduated from Udayana University in Bali with a degree in Archaeology. Belmiro put his interest in environmental issues in 2019 when there was a subject named environmental archeology. In the middle of his study, he worked as a host for one of the popular TV programs in Indonesia called Insert, which produced infotainment about the celebrity world. Before joining GAIA, Belmiro worked at Nexus3 Foundation as a Communication Officer. He wants to use digital platforms to increase public awareness about environmental issues.
Finance & Business Director for GAIA U.S.
Brieshen McKee
Brieshen is the Finance & Business Director for GAIA’s U.S. office. She has a background in business admin and finance, working with nonprofits to build solid infrastructures to fortify their missions. Her interest in this field began when she managed a free-standing birth center in Portland, Maine and since then she has worked with many Bay Area social and environmental justice organizations. She holds a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Business Administration. Brieshen loves gardening, hiking with her family and days spent at the beach.
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Program Advisor for GAIA Latin America
Camila Aguilera
Camila’s interest in nature led her to hold a Diploma in Socio-Environmental Studies, which she hopes will become her subject of specialization. Previous to joining GAIA, she volunteered for different environmental initiatives, being the most significant a project she developed with local recyclers in the city of Concepción, Chile. Camila is also the co-founder of the local NGO Fundación El Árbol. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her bike, hiking, and reading.
GAIA Africa Communications Associate
Careen Mwakitalu
Careen is a Tanzanian Journalist and development storyteller working to spearhead climate action and social development through innovative communication and advocacy. Her background includes working with local media houses, non-governmental organisations and international organisations. Careen joined the GAIA team in October 2022 and is based in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.
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Communications Officer for GAIA Africa
Carissa Marnce
Carissa holds a National Diploma in Journalism from the Durban University of Technology and is currently studying towards a postgraduate degree in Journalism. She has experience in writing for local news media and enjoys using various types of online media tools. Carissa is also environmentally conscious and believes in the ethical treatment of animals. Her hobbies include reading, creative writing, and watching series.
New Financial Models Manager for Zero Waste Europe
Caroline Cullière
Caroline focuses on the creation of new financing models for zero waste cities and businesses. Before joining ZWE she worked in many different and challenging environments, in different countries, on diverse topics – from public to private sectors, building businesses from scratch, always driven by the necessity to ‘act for good’.
Global Projects Advisor, GAIA Global
Cecilia Allen
Cecilia Allen is the Global Projects Advisor for GAIA, focusing on strengthening the work on zero waste cities through global initiatives. She previously served as GAIA’s Regional Coordinator for Latin America and The Caribbean for nine years and has been part of the environmental justice movement for 20 years. She has also worked in the public sector implementing waste management programs, and has worked as a consultant in waste research. She is a Sociologist, based in Argentina.
International Coordinator and Executive Director of GAIA U.S.
Christie Keith
Christie joined GAIA in 2005 and has 25 years of experience with social movements and international non-profit organizations. She began her work in Guatemala as a popular educator, program coordinator, and strategic planning facilitator for groups in the women’s movement and Mayan-Campesino organizing community, as well as in international human rights. For the last 15 years, Christie has worked from the U.S. on international waste, public health, and environmental justice issues.
Director of Operations & Growth, GAIA Global
Christina Briegleb
Christina Briegleb is GAIA’s Interim Director of Operations & Growth. Having spent her career working with mission driven non-profits, she has over 16 years of global experience in organizational effectiveness, thoughtful program design and execution, and capacity building of teams to lead change. She is passionate about advancing equitable and just climate solutions. Based in the Bay Area, in her free time she loves traveling, hiking, and spending time outdoors.
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Global Communications Lead, GAIA Global
Claire Arkin
Claire has previously worked as an organizer in the spheres of education, politics, and sustainable food, and also worked as a publicist for classical musicians. Her work has been featured in such outlets as The Guardian, Resource-Recycling, NextCity, and the San Francisco Chronicle. She is based out of New York City.
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Communications Associate for GAIA Asia Pacific
Dan Abril
Dan carries almost 30 years of experience in communications work, from media publishing to marketing to web content writing, and as the Campaigns Coordinator of other non-government organisations. His traditional and modern approach to comms work is a solid support to GAIA AP campaigns.
Finance Officer for Zero Waste Europe
Desi Borisova
Desi ensures that ZWE runs smoothly and maintains a healthy financial state through compliance with financial procedures. She’s involved in payments, accounting, and budget follow-up; and is a contact point for any financial matters. Prior to joining the team, Desi had work experiences in the healthcare, aviation, and IT sectors. She completed a traineeship at the European Commission’s DG Trade and volunteered in an organization for health and drug prevention amongst the youth.
Member Support Program Coordinator for GAIA Africa
Desmond Alugnoa
Desmond has a background in Environmental Science and Climate Governance. Desmond has worked with Ghana’s national government, as well as the corporate sector both in Africa and in Europe, in diverse capacities involving waste management and sustainability. He is a climate activist, a strategic campaigner and has worked with the UN Major Groups for Children, YOUNGO and the Youth in Landscape. Desmond joined the GAIA team in April 2021 and is based in Accra, Ghana.
Policy Researcher, GAIA Global
Doun Moon
Doun has a background in law and has worked with national and regional civil society advocacy platforms including Korea Civil Society Forum on International Development, Asia Development Alliance, and Korea Zero Waste Movement Network. She joined GAIA’s U.S. office in 2017 and is currently based in Seoul, South Korea as part of GAIA’s Global Policy and Research Team.
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Toxic-Free Circular Economy Policy Officer for Zero Waste Europe
Dorota Napierska
Dorota works on toxic-free consumption and production to ensure safe and sustainable solutions. That means work on the presence of hazardous chemicals in products and packaging, promotion of non-toxic alternatives, and how this all impacts human health, the environment, and the achievement of a truly circular economy. Her advocacy work focuses on the revision of the EU food contact materials legislation.
Executive Director at Zero Waste Europe
Esra Tat
Esra leads on the strategic development of Zero Waste Europe as a network and organisation, and manages the implementation of the vision with the team and member organisations. She coordinates the development of European campaigns in partnership with Zero Waste Europe’s members across the continent, and acts as the European Regional Coordinator towards GAIA International to further promote zero waste models worldwide.
Organics Program Consultant for GAIA Africa
Farima Tidjani
Farima has a background in Industrial Engineering, Project Management, Environmental Sciences and Auditing (ISO 9001 14001 45001). Farima worked in several countries, first as an engineer with Clariant in France and SOITEC in Singapore, then as an entrepreneur in South Korea, and finally joined associations in Dubai and Senegal. She focused on Environment 4 years ago being Vice President of Zero Waste Senegal Association and then Founder of adansonia.green, a non profit that focuses on creating concrete solutions for Zero Waste Cities in Senegal.
Farima joined the GAIA team in July 2023 and is now based in Dakar, Senegal.
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Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator and Executive Director of GAIA Philippines
Froilan Grate
Froilan is a committed environmental justice campaigner who has assisted more than 20 cities/municipalities in the Philippines in developing and improving waste management programs and systems. He has extensive experience in module development and training and legislative work, providing support to legislators at the local government level, especially in areas of policy review.
Program and Network Systems Manager, GAIA Global
Gemma Estrella
Gemma is the Program and Network Systems Manager for GAIA and is part of the Global Support Team. Originally from Barcelona, she has a background in journalism and film editing and has been involved with social justice and grassroots organizations in Spain, Mexico, and the United States. In 2005 she moved to Mexico, where she lived for seven years and worked as a Program Manager at Promedios de Comunicación Comunitaria. Prior to joining GAIA, Gemma also worked at Centro Legal de la Raza, in Oakland, as the Donor Relations and Communications Coordinator.
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Communications & Network Officer for Zero Waste Europe
Giulia Lodi
As Communication & Network Officer, Giulia develops and implements the ZWE’s communication activities together with the other members of the Communications Team. At the same time, she is the main point of contact in the Communications Team for ZWE’s member organisations, working together to improve the communications with and for our network. Giulia believes that a more sustainable and resources-mindful society is possible by fostering cross-sector collaborations and local involvement. She personally tries to minimise her impact on the planet by buying consciously and reusing and repairing as much as possible.
Grants & Operations Officer for Zero Waste Europe
Heli Pärna
Heli has a background in translation and literature and she has previously worked in the European Commission as Assistant in the Interpretation Directorate and Project Coordinator in the Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Unit (DG ECHO). She first learned about Zero Waste Europe whilst volunteering for the Estonian NGO Let’s Do It. She loves nature and animals and has always been very vocal about environmental issues and animal rights.
Head of Local Zero Waste Implementation at Zero Waste Europe
Jack McQuibban
Jack has an educational background in international relations having studied at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. For the past 5 years, he has worked for two different NGOs within the international development and sustainability sectors, helping to build movements and communities for change. He has led successful campaigns at the local level within the UK as well as at the global level at institutions such as the United Nations. Jack will be leading our work with municipalities, helping to connect members from across Europe to build and contribute towards the transition of cities towards zero waste strategies.
Zero Pollution Policy Manager of Zero Waste Europe
Janek Vähk
Janek manages the relationship with Zero Waste Europe’s funders and leads on climate and energy policy advocacy work towards EU institutions. Previously, he worked for the Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE) in Brussels where he coordinated fundraising efforts on behalf of FoEE and its 6 programmes. Prior to the FoEE, Janek worked for the Justice and Environment (J&E) where he provided leadership for the development of strategic partnerships.
Regional Capacity-Building and Training Officer for GAIA Asia Pacific
Janssen Calvelo
Janssen is an environmental management and urban planning specialist with experience as a consultant, researcher, and educator to several private companies, NGOs, universities, and government institutions. He has organized various environmental and urban management engagements in the Philippines, Ghana, the Netherlands, and Cambodia.
Talent and Culture Manager, GAIA Global
Jenny Tang
Jenny has experience as a climate action educator and researcher and has organized with her friends to demand fossil fuel divestment, environmental justice, and just and lasting peace. She is on the secretariat of the New Jersey chapter of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines.
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Plastics & Petrochemicals Campaign Manager, US & Canada
Jessica Roff
Jessica has been fighting for more than twelve years against climate change and for a sustainable, just energy system working to stop fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure buildout and supporting front line struggles. Prior to her work in the climate movement, Jessica practiced law for a decade focusing on civil rights and Federal Indian law. She is based in so-called Brooklyn (occupied Lanape/Munsee/Canarsie lands) where she was born and raised.
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Director-Founder of Zero Waste Europe
Joan Marc Simon
Based in Brussels, Joan Marc has been a leading voice for Zero Waste in Europe since 2007 and he is a regular keynote speaker in many industry and NGO meetings in Brussels but also at local level as well as internationally. He is member of the Steering Committee of the Break Free from Plastics movement. Among many other publications he has authored the Zero Waste Masterplan for cities as well as the book “Zero Waste – How to reactivate the economy without trashing the planet”.
Mission Zero Academy Director, Zero Waste Europe
Kaisa Karjalainen
Kaisa has an educational background in environmental engineering and she’s about to graduate with an MBA focusing on leadership and service design. Previously, she worked as a consultant for companies, organisations and events on how to establish environmental management systems, she conducted sustainability training, life cycle assessments, and she designed waste management plans.
North Africa Outreach Coordinator, GAIA Africa
Kenza Elazkem
Kenza has a background in political science and sustainable economic development. She has worked in different fields such as election observation, international cooperation, capacity building for cooperatives and CSR. Kenza joined the GAIA team in April 2021 and is based in Marrakech, Morocco.
Packaging & Reuse Policy Officer for Zero Waste Europe
Larissa Copello
Larissa has a background in Law and she worked as a Legal Consultant on environment, health, and safety policies. She is passionate about environmental protection and sustainable development practices. She is a zero waster at heart, and enjoys running campaigns and empowering people towards sustainable consumption patterns. She also likes cooking and preparing her zero waste cosmetics and products, while fostering her creativity.
Chemical Recycling and Plastic-to-Fuels Policy Officer for Zero Waste Europe
Lauriane Veillard
As the Policy Officer on Chemicals Recycling and Plastic-to-Fuels, Lauriane engages with European institutions to develop ambitious, human-, and environmentally-friendly legislation focusing on the chemical treatment of waste. Before joining ZWE, she did a traineeship at the European Parliament, where she followed the IMCO Committee and focused on consumer protection.
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Project Monitoring and Grants Administration Officer for GAIA Asia Pacific
Leo Jaminola
Leo has more than three years of work experience in quantitative and qualitative research, project management, and stakeholder coordination. They have published journal articles, book chapters, and policy notes on a wide range of topics including political dynasties, Philippine politics, inclusive growth, environmental cooperation, and fertility. They completed their undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines Diliman and are currently completing their master’s degree in Demography at the same university. They are part of several youth-led environmental organizations in the Philippines.
Global EV Waste Strategist & Advocate, GAIA Global
Lien De Brouckere
Lien coordinates and ensures cross-regional research alignment and strategy definition on electric vehicle battery waste, and supports donor engagement. Previously, Lien has worked with private foundations including The 11th Hour Project and SAGE Fund, as well as international human rights organizations, to facilitate coalition-building and campaign strategy on corporate accountability of mining companies and natural resource governance, with a focus on francophone Africa.
Regional Coordinator for GAIA Latin America and the Caribbean
Magdalena Donoso
Magda has worked in communications and networking with several Chilean NGOs and in Television Trust for the Environment (UK), supporting educational and activism programs in forestry and biodiversity for 15 years. For the last fourteen years she has worked on waste issues with cities in Latin America, particularly defending the rights of recyclers and promoting zero waste. She is based in Concepción, Chile.
Implementation Officer for Zero Waste Europe
Manon Jourdan
As an Implementation Officer, Manon works closely with ZWE network members, cities and partners, providing them with the technical guidance and support needed to accelerate the implementation of zero waste strategies at the local level. This includes capturing, showcasing, and disseminating best practices and methods related to waste prevention and management, reuse systems, organics collection and recovery as well as financing opportunities.
A large part of her role focuses on the implementation of the LIFE BIOBEST project, which identifies, validates, and mainstreams best practices on bio-waste recycling in Europe.
Zero Waste Program Manager for GAIA US & Canada
Marcel Howard
As a biracial and LGBTQ+ working professional, Marcel has dedicated his life to dismantling white supremacy and anti-queer concepts within the broader environmental movement. Over the past eight years, he has become a thought leader and technical expert on climate change, environmental justice, and zero waste concepts throughout the US and Canada. Born and raised in a minority-majority community along the Chesapeake Bay in Southeast Virginia, Newport News, Marcel has always been deeply entrenched within the world of equity and justice.He joins GAIA with a Master’s in Environmental Policy from The New School and currently resides in the beautiful neighborhood of Harlem in New York City. Marcel will help expand GAIA’s work in U.S. federal policy spaces with the goals of developing zero waste solutions and ending policies bolstering incineration.
Plastic Campaigner for GAIA Latin America & the Caribbean / BFFP
María Esther Briz
María Esther is a Biologist, MSc. in Environmental Management Systems, a specialist in urban solid waste management, and a researcher focused on marine pollution by plastics. She has worked as an independent advisor on issues related to sustainability, and in NGOs as coordinator of socio-environmental development projects for more than 15 years.
Regional Communications Coordinator for U.S. & Canada
María Guillén
María is the Regional Communications Coordinator for US & Canada. Before joining GAIA, she coordinated communications for a multi-state effort to end plastic pollution through legislation. Her previous experience includes work for the New York State Senate, Walker’s Legacy, and Univision Philadelphia. María holds a Master’s in Policy Management from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s in Public Relations and Communication Studies from Rowan University. She’s currently based in New York City.
GAIA’s Global Climate Program Director
Mariel Vilella
Mariel is currently driving the global work of Zero Waste Europe as Director of Global Strategy, building bridges and identifying opportunities for collaboration across borders to promote zero waste policies and practices with members worldwide. Prior to this role, between 2014-2019 she was the Managing Director of Zero Waste Europe, during its foundation and early development. Before 2014 she was the lead climate policy campaigner for the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA).
Member Support Program Coordinator for GAIA Latin America & the Caribbean / BFFP
Mariela Pino
After seven years of study and work on biodigesters in three different continents, Mariela went back to Chile and focused her energies on consolidating the Latin American Network of Biodigesters. Through her work in the management of rural and urban biodegradable waste, and her involvement with Zero Waste Alliance Chile Mariela confirmed her drive to seek real paradigm changes. She has been focusing on projects with social impact, particularly environmental justice work. She loves camping, gardening, and sewing.
GAIA’s Africa Plastic Campaigner
Merrisa Naidoo
Merrisa Naidoo is GAIA’s Africa Plastic Campaigner. She has a background in Marine Microplastic Pollution and has previously worked in youth advocacy and campaigning for Marine Protected Areas in Africa and Globally. Merrisa joined the GAIA team in February 2022 and is based in Durban, South Africa.
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GAIA Asia Pacific Deputy Director
Miriam Mayang Azurin
Before joining GAIA, Mayang coordinated the policy and lobbying work of two global civil society platforms on accountable development finance to human rights and environmental instruments, the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness and the NGO Forum on ADB. She also steered Philippine coalitions and non-profits for policy advocacy and the mainstreaming of integrated local solutions. For ten years, she has managed grants programs for civil society campaigns in the Philippines and regionally in Asia wherein she has administered full grants cycles, knowledge management, and communications work. Earlier in her career, she was a researcher for the progressive think tank, IBON Foundation. She holds a master’s degree in public management.
Associate Director of GAIA U.S.
Monica Wilson
Monica has worked with GAIA since 2002 and served five years as GAIA’s International Co-Coordinator. Monica serves on the board of the Grassroots Recycling Network, was previously on the board of the Northern California Recycling Association, and is a master composter. In 2012 she was honored to be named by the California Resource Recovery Association as “Recycler of the Year” together with GAIA’s US & Canada Program, for achievement in the field. Monica is based in GAIA’s Berkeley, U.S. office.
Communications Officer for Zero Waste Europe
Nanna Cornelsen
As a Communications Officer, Nanna supports the implementation of all ZWE’s communication activities, including digital campaigns, newsletters, and content for social media. She joined Zero Waste Europe because slogans like ‘There is no Planet B’ may sound cheesy, but the reality is that we have to change in order to have a future home.
Before joining ZWE Nanna did a traineeship at the European Ombudsman in the Communication Unit. And before moving to Brussels, she worked within communication and marketing in the private sector and at an NGO promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Programms General Support Advisor/Assistant for GAIA Latin America & the Caribbean
Natalia Dulcey
Natalia is an Architect, and has worked for years on projects that promote community development. She has a specialization in Technology and Resource Management, and has specialized in bioconstruction with bamboo and natural materials, having worked in several countries. Natalia has explored methods to develop sustainable habitats that strengthen the native knowledge and cultures and that allow individual and collective growth. Currently, she lives in Cali, Colombia.
Reuse Systems Manager and Leader of the ReuSe Vanguard Project for Zero Waste Europe
Nathan Dufour
Nathan leads on ZWE efforts to make reusable packaging systems a reality in Europe, building bridges between CSOs, new businesses, innovators, cities, academics, investors and policy-makers. A substantial part of these efforts is coordinated through the systemic work we do as part of the ReuSe Vanguard Project (RSVP), which started early 2021. He also co-coordinates the business leg of the BFFP-led We Choose Reuse campaign which, among others, has gathered the support of more than 300 businesses from across Europe.
Program Operations Associate, GAIA Global
Nautica Welch
Nautica’s experience and passion with youth development cultivated a strong sense of humanitarianism, which laid the path to non-profit work that spearheads global change for the betterment of human life. Active outdoors and well-traveled, Nautica has been a catalyst for love & peace since moving away from his parents’ San Diego home at 17. His ultimate dream is to build an education system that juxtaposes the current education programs available to the youth – developing the leaders of our future.
GAIA Africa Admin Assistant
Neebha Budhoo
Neebha Budhoo is GAIA’s Africa Admin Assistant. She holds postgraduate degrees in English and Criminology from the University of KwaZulu Natal. She has a background in human rights education and facilitation. Neebha has worked within different fields including, public health administration across Africa, accessible media, academic editing and legal compliance. She is a djembe percussionist, practices Maori flow art and dabbles in micro-farming. Neebha joined the GAIA team in September 2022 and is based in Durban, South Africa.
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Science and Policy Director, GAIA Global
Neil Tangri
A founding member of GAIA, Neil has worked on international environmental policy, climate and development finance, and provided technical support to GAIA members. Neil has a captain’s license from the U.S. Coast Guard and a Ph.D. from Stanford University.
GAIA Africa Regional Coordinator
Niven Reddy
Niven has a background in social science and worked in the education and environmental planning sector before joining the environmental justice movement in 2016 with groundWork, where he focused on air quality and working with local waste picker groups. He joined the GAIA team in January 2018 and is based in Durban, South Africa.
Network Development and Member Engagement Officer for GAIA Asia Pacific
Patricia Parras
As a graduate student currently pursuing international relations, Patricia’s academic background has piqued her interest in international development. She has witnessed and been involved with affairs that have helped to shape international relations, including participation in the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation National Organizing Council, becoming head of delegation under the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths Program (JENESYS), and working under United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Organizational Development and Human Resources Officer for GAIA Asia Pacific
Raimiel Dionido
Raimiel is GAIA Asia Pacific’s Organizational Development and Human Resources Officer. His academic background is in Psychology, and has been working in Human Resources for the past five years. He has previously been involved in the Philippine Government’s Higher Education sector and has helped in delivering a few of its key programs for ensuring access to education. He strongly believes in community involvement in inspiring social change, and the role of Civil Society Organizations in this endeavor.
Operations and Finance Coordinator for GAIA Asia Pacific
Rhoda David
Rhoda handles administration and finance matters from GAIA’s office in Quezon City, the Philippines. She holds a degree in business administration with a major in accounting. She has over 30 years of experience in the fields of human resource, administration, and finance, and has worked with various NGOs working on issues related to family development and youth organizing, urban poor housing, and agriculture.
Media Outreach & Communications Officer at Zero Waste Europe
Séan Flynn
Seán leads all press activities as it pertains to the organisation, from drafting and publishing press releases to media liaison. He also supports the communications team in the delivery of high-impact social media and other communications materials.
Knowledge Management Officer for GAIA Asia Pacific
Sherma Benosa
Prior to joining GAIA in November 2016, Sherma worked for Philippine-based non-government organizations working on agriculture and health. She also worked as managing editor of a health magazine and has written feature stories on arts, culture, health, and business for various publications. A fictionist writing mostly in the vein of social realism, she uses storytelling to add her voice to the call for social justice and equity and to delve into issues that are often overlooked in discourses.
Plastics Policy Coordinator, GAIA Global
Sirine Rached
Sirine joined GAIA in 2018 as a consultant to work on the UN Environment Assembly and the Basel Convention, before integrating the team in 2022. Previously, she investigated political conflict and human rights violations in the Middle East and North Africa with the International Crisis Group and Amnesty International. She holds masters degrees from the University of Cambridge and the School of Oriental and African Studies and is based in Berkeley, California.
Regional Organics Campaigner for GAIA Asia Pacific
Shibu Nair
He has been active in movements and campaigns related to the environment and toxics since 1991. He entered the realm of environmental activism by organizing environmental education programs for schools in Kerala. He is one of the pioneers of the zero waste movement in India and led the zero waste campaigns and programs for Thanal — one of the oldest environmental organizations in South India. His expertise is in organics management, designing and developing zero-waste systems at the community level, and strategizing zero waste programs and campaigns.
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Business Development Manager of the Mission Zero Academy, Zero Waste Europe
Solène Fargeix
As the Business Development Manager for the Mission Zero Academy (MiZA), Solène designs strategies and engages with key partners, municipalities, and businesses to accelerate their transition to zero waste, while supporting them through their certification journey in a comprehensive way.
Before joining Zero Waste Europe, Solène worked as a Business Developer providing advisory services in China to foreign companies willing to set up operations in the Mainland, providing them with customised solutions. Working on multiple projects at a time, she has experience in construction, human resources, and tax advisory services.
Senior Communications Officer for GAIA Asia Pacific
Sonia G. Astudillo
Sonia has more than 15 years of experience working in media and communications for women’s magazines, a Philippine Senator and a Congressman, and three other NGOs: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia Pacific, Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Asia, and The Way To Happiness – Philippines. She studied Journalism and has a master’s degree in public policy from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, Japan. She is also a certified raw vegan chef, detox coach, and yoga teacher. In her spare time, she does batik painting.
Head of Network and Movement Building for Zero Waste Europe
Stephanie Yates
Stephanie coordinates the engagement of the network of 32 members in the work of ZWE and makes sure that members are supported and empowered to implement a joint vision of a zero waste Europe.
She believes that zero strategies are an essential part of tackling the impacts of climate change, and that networks are powerful instruments for systemic change, as they bring together diverse experiences, knowledge, and voices to have a strong and long-lasting impact.
Waste & Resources Policy Officer for Zero Waste Europe
Theresa Mörsen
As a Waste Policy Officer, Theresa mainly acts within the EU institutional bubble, pushing for more ambitious legislation on waste management, food waste, or waste shipments. She also supports the Cities & Communities program linking with European legislation and identifying good practices to be disseminated across Europe.
Theresa is seeking to make a contribution towards the transition to a truly circular economy and a waste-free society. She believes that feeding the experiences from zero waste practitioners on the ground into EU policy is the best way to ensure that public policy enhances a waste-free future.
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Clean Energy Campaigner for GAIA Africa
Weyinmi Okotie
Weyinmi has a background in Environmental Quality Management and Microbiology. Prior to this role, he supported the development of a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Master Plan in Delta State Nigeria, as the project manager, and also the Program Coordinator of Green Knowledge Foundation, Nigeria. Weyinmi joined the GAIA team in May 2022 and is based in Warri, Nigeria.
Regional Administrative and Finance Assistant for GAIA Asia Pacific
Yehlen Benedicto
Yehlen has worked in different international development NGO since 2009 in providing assistance on procurement and logistics. She’s a hardworking and versatile team member with reliable organizational skills and thorough knowledge of corporate policies and procedures.
Global Climate Policy Officer, GAIA Global
Yobel Novian Putra
Yobel’s interest in waste issues started from learning the history of a catastrophic landfill avalanche in his hometown, Bandung, Indonesia. Later on, his interest transformed into a passion for learning about zero waste. Before joining GAIA, Yobel worked for 2 years as Zero Waste Policy Advocacy staff at YPBB Bandung (a local NGO which implemented a Zero Waste Cities program since 2013). He was also involved in Aliansi Zero Waste Indonesia works. Yobel graduated from Institut Teknologi Bandung with a degree in environmental engineering.