Waste pollution disrupts ecosystems, threatens well-being and hinders economic growth. Humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste (what we throw away) a year, of which only 61–62 per cent is managed in controlled facilities. Some 2.7 billion people lack access to solid waste collection.
“We can’t keep coming at the waste problem by trying to manage what we throw away. Open burning of waste is a disaster. Dumpsites are a disaster. Recycling can’t cope with the sheer volume of waste. To realize the vision of a zero-waste society, we need to redefine what waste is. A lot of what we throw away is a valuable resource, so we must start rethinking the design and delivery of products and services to keep resources in the economy.
The world needs to eliminate single-use and unnecessary plastics. Redesign products. Redesign packaging to use no or less plastics. Redesign systems for reuse, refill and, yes, recycling.” – Inger Andersen at the Launch of Global Waste Management Outlook 2024
The latest State of Our Rivers report (read here: State of our Rivers Report 2024 | The Rivers Trust ) demonstrates the devastating impact of litter in our rivers. Data from the Big River Watch citizen science survey in 2023 demonstrated that 46% of surveys identified litter in the river. Once in rivers, plastic not only traps living wildlife, but also breaks down into toxic chemicals and microplastics that are impossible to remove from the water, and that wash downstream and into oceans.
What can you do as an individual?
Take an extra moment this Zero Waste Day to consider if you do need the things you’re buying, or if you can repurpose something you already have to do the same job.
Head down to your local refill centre to stock up your pantry without buying individual items wrapped in plastic.
Try out shopping second-hand, or having an old or broken item repaired instead of replacing it with a new one.
The UN Environment Program (UNEP) has published their Global Waste Management Outlook for 2024, highlighting the financial threat to business and economies world wide if the waste problem is not addressed effectively and fast. You can read more here.
