This is predicted by the Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). the production of municipal solid waste increases by 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes in 2050.
“Uncollected and improperly disposed of waste has a significant impact on public health. The cost of addressing this impact is much higher than that required to develop and operate simple and adequate waste management systems.”explains Silpa Kaza, urban development specialist at the World Bank for Consumer magazine.
The “zero waste” movement.
“We could define the “zero waste” movement as the design and management of products and processes to reduce the quantity and toxicity of waste, conserve and recover all resources and not burn or bury it. It can sometimes be confused with zero discharge, which allows incineration, but is contrary to this philosophy.“, describes Marian Lorenzo Quintela, consultant and auditor specializing in zero waste and decentralized composting for the organization Friends of the Earth.
The non-governmental organization Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) is the only one that currently establishes rigorous and unified criteria to certify European cities that generate zero waste or reduce it to a minimum. Zero Waste proposes that cities must meet 50 criteria, including mandatory and optional, always with the ultimate goal of reducing waste production.
“Zero Waste” city in Spain
In our country there are 90 localities that are taking the first steps with concrete proposals and measures and which are part of the almost 450 European cities that are following this path towards zero waste cities. “The next 10 years will lay the foundations for creating a new local, decarbonized and resilient economy”, reflects Joan Marc Simon, general director of Zero Waste Europe.
The report on the state of municipalities with waste, Zero Waste Europe 2023, has certified Hernani, Astigarraga, Usurbil and Torrelles de Llobregat with the Zero Waste seal in 2023. Furthermore, among the candidate cities for the Zero Waste seal in 2023 is Viladecans. And it also highlights other municipalities that participate in other Zero Waste projects such as Viladecans, Torrelles, Manacor and Barcellona.
The zero waste hierarchy
An important step to reduce waste is the so-called zero waste hierarchy, devised by the organization and more demanding than the European classification, which identifies waste from ideal to unacceptable use, paying particular attention to the conservation of high-quality materials and materials. the treatment of residual waste.
Reject/redesign. A change of mentality is proposed so that the superfluous, consumerism and excessive exploitation are rejected. The goal would be to create business and consumption models oriented towards reuse, reuse and waste reduction.
Reduce/reuse. The path begins with reducing the ecological footprint and toxicity of every product we use every day.
Preparing for reuse. Measures need to be taken to enable the reprocessing, cleaning and repair of discarded products, which can have a second life.
Recycling/composting/anaerobic digestion. High quality materials are those that can be obtained thanks to their treatment, such as organic waste that is converted into fertilizers or even biogas.
Recovery of materials and chemicals. Through mechanical-biological treatments (TMB), which consist of a combination of treatments of waste that comes from the “residual” fraction, but contains sufficient usable organic substance.
Management of non-recyclable waste. If the waste cannot be separated and recovered, it is necessary to guarantee its biological stabilization (verify that it is not highly polluting), to try to guarantee that its degradation process is the least harmful to health and the environment.
Unacceptable. Anything that involves heat treatment, incineration or unmanaged abandonment is unacceptable on the scale of Zero Waste Europe.
The Zero Waste organization connects city councils of participating cities to share experiences and provide knowledge on how to develop the proposed measures. The goal is to transform the future idea of a circular economy into a reality for Europe.
Conscious purchases to avoid the “disposable” consumption model, reuse, repair and recycling are some of the actions we can all do to support zero waste strategies in our municipalities. Even if transforming our cities into zero waste spaces seems like a utopia, we can all do our part to reduce the impact of our actions on nature.
Source: consumer
How can individuals effectively contribute to the zero waste movement in their daily lives?
Interview between Time.News Editor and Waste Management Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.News! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Marian Lorenzo Quintela, a consultant and auditor specializing in zero waste and decentralized composting with Friends of the Earth. Marian, thank you for joining us.
Marian: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss this important issue.
Editor: The recent Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 report by the UNEP highlights a staggering prediction: the production of municipal solid waste is expected to rise by 2.3 billion tonnes by 2023, reaching 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. What does this forecast mean for our planet?
Marian: This prediction underscores a significant challenge we face globally. As waste production increases, so do the risks related to public health and environmental degradation. Uncollected and improperly disposed of waste not only pollutes our surroundings but can also lead to severe health issues. The costs of addressing these problems are far greater than those associated with establishing and maintaining effective waste management systems.
Editor: That leads us to the “zero waste” movement. Could you elaborate on what this movement entails and how it differs from concepts like zero discharge?
Marian: Absolutely! The “zero waste” movement is about designing products and processes that minimize waste, conserves resources, and avoids incineration or landfilling. It’s often confused with zero discharge, which permits burning waste, contradicting the zero waste philosophy. True zero waste aims to rethink our consumption patterns and encourages a systemic change to prevent waste in the first place.
Editor: That’s fascinating. In Europe, Zero Waste Europe is setting rigorous criteria for cities to be certified as “zero waste.” Can you discuss some of these criteria?
Marian: Yes, Zero Waste Europe has established 50 criteria that cities must meet to be certified. These criteria include both mandatory and optional measures aimed at minimizing waste production. Each city must explore innovative solutions to reduce, reuse, and recycle effectively, ensuring that waste is treated as a resource rather than a burden.
Editor: Spain is taking significant strides towards zero waste, with 90 localities implementing concrete measures. What does this mean for the future of waste management in Spain?
Marian: This movement indicates a growing awareness and commitment to sustainability at a local level. The next decade is crucial for laying the groundwork for a circular, decarbonized, and resilient economy. The certification of cities like Hernani and Astigarraga, among others, showcases what can be achieved with dedication and effective strategies.
Editor: The “zero waste hierarchy” you mentioned plays a crucial role in waste reduction. Can you explain its importance and the key steps involved?
Marian: The zero waste hierarchy prioritizes strategies from the most ideal to the least acceptable forms of waste management. At the top is “reject/redesign,” encouraging individuals and businesses to rethink consumption so that unnecessary products aren’t created in the first place. Next is “reduce/reuse,” which is about lowering our ecological footprint and finding ways to repurpose products. The steps continue with “preparing for reuse,” which involves enabling the cleaning and repair of items, and finally “recycling/composting.” This hierarchy emphasizes conserving high-quality materials and utilizing residual waste effectively.
Editor: It seems that cultural shifts in consumption will be pivotal for these strategies to succeed. How can individuals participate in this movement?
Marian: Individuals play a vital role! Simple actions like choosing to support businesses that prioritize sustainability, opting for products with minimal packaging, and advocating for waste reduction policies can contribute to creating a more sustainable community. Every small effort counts and collectively leads to significant change.
Editor: Thank you, Marian, for your insights into the zero waste movement and its importance in tackling the increasing waste crisis. It’s clear that both systemic change and individual action are necessary for a sustainable future.
Marian: Thank you for the opportunity to share! I hope our discussion inspires more people to engage in zero waste practices and push for change.
Editor: Indeed, let’s work towards a cleaner, healthier planet together. Thank you for joining us today!