Enviro News Asia, Nairobi – The United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste has announced 20 cities worldwide as part of the inaugural “20 Cities Towards Zero Waste” initiative, ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste on March 30.
The initiative, supported by UN-Habitat and United Nations Environment Programme, recognizes cities demonstrating innovative and ambitious approaches to waste reduction, circular economy practices, and sustainable urban development.
The selected cities include Accra, Bologna, Dar es Salaam, Kuala Lumpur, San Francisco, Yokohama, and 14 others across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
Globally, more than 2.1 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated each year, placing cities at the forefront of efforts to address waste-related challenges impacting climate, biodiversity, public health, and livelihoods.
The initiative aims to recognize leadership, facilitate knowledge exchange, promote best practices, and accelerate the adoption of circular economy solutions at the local level.
According to José Manuel Moller, the selected cities stand out not for planning alone, but for implementing practical solutions such as waste segregation, composting, reuse systems, and inclusive recycling models.
Inger Andersen highlighted that waste management solutions present opportunities to redesign economies through innovation, equity, and circularity. She cited examples including producer responsibility systems in San Francisco and Suzhou, refill initiatives in Bologna, and inclusive recycling efforts in Kuala Lumpur and Zapopan.
Meanwhile, Anacláudia Rosbach emphasized that cities play a critical role in shaping sustainable consumption patterns and integrating informal workers into waste management systems.
The initiative contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
The selected cities will be formally recognized during the International Day of Zero Waste and featured on global platforms to share best practices and inspire further action worldwide. (*)
