International Zero Waste Month begins

The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific is using the strength of the movement to celebrate International Zero Waste Month this January. Leveraging its wide international network, GAIA boldly takes the lead to put genuine zero waste work into action despite the many false narratives, fed by corporations, international financing institutions and other governing bodies.

Through science-based and proven solutions to waste, the alliance works on the premise that zero waste opens opportunities to address bigger climate challenges. Zero waste is climate action, and the Zero Waste Month with its theme, "Zero Waste for Zero Emission," hopes to show just that.

GAIA and its members line up initiatives to educate and spark conversations about waste management solutions from gatherings and forging alliances to film festivals and more. Through a showcase of results-backed learning from experts and experienced individuals from around the world, the alliance aims to send the message that zero waste is one of the critical ways to achieve zero emissions, waste-to-energy incineration is a false solution and a step backward, and that zero waste systems ensure just transition for all.

Froilan Grate, GAIA Asia Pacific Coordinator, said, “We are inviting everyone to celebrate the International Zero Waste Month this January with the theme Zero Waste for Zero Emissions. The beauty of Zero Waste is that everyone can be a part of the solution in every step of the way. You can be an NGO worker campaigning for plastic-free communities, a government leader participating in the discussions that will decide how we manage our wastes, a business owner choosing sustainable practices, a waste picker or waste worker who is in the forefront of how the waste issue is dealt with on the grounds, or an individual opting for better consumption practices, or a social media influencer walking the Zero Waste walk and talking the Zero Waste talk. The Zero Waste Month is expected to showcase how Zero Waste is already being practiced by communities, businesses, schools, local governments, and individuals around the globe and of course in Asia Pacific. We have lined-up activities both online and offline that will cater to everyone depending on where they are in their Zero Waste advocacy.”

“Why online and why social media? Because with Zero Waste, we want to ensure that no one is left behind. But we don’t stop there. We want online support to translate to offline actions. We’ll open the month with social media posts discussing the history of Zero Waste month and how you can be part of the celebrations. Then a Refuse Single-Use Day on Jan 6 inviting all to refuse all single-use plastics for a day and beyond. We’ve lined-up influencers to share their Zero Waste practices and we are launching a series of publications on women, waste pickers and workers, youth, and cities involved in Zero Waste,” he added.

International Zero Waste Month is made possible through the generous support of the Plastic Solutions Fund in partnership with the following media outlets: Advocates (Philippines), Bandung Bergerak (Indonesia), Business Ecology (China), The Business Post (Bangladesh), The Manila Times (Philippines), Pressenza (Global), Sunrise Today (Pakistan), The Recombobulator Lab (Global) and Republic Asia.