Global forum in Istanbul tackles urban waste crisis with circular solutions

The International Zero Waste Forum convened in Istanbul on Friday, bringing together global experts to address the critical challenge of urban waste management through circular economy solutions. The event, organized in partnership with Türkiye's Zero Waste Foundation, relevant ministries, and UN agencies, focused on transforming cities where the majority of the world's waste is generated.

Citizen-Led Solutions and Local Success

A key panel titled "Cities Leading Circular Transformation" highlighted the importance of community involvement in waste management. Gabriel Vannelli, environment director for Vicente Lopez Municipality in Argentina, emphasized that citizen participation often outweighs technology or investment. He cited successful local composting initiatives near Buenos Aires that have diverted over 100,000 tons of organic waste from landfills through community training and equipment provision, simultaneously reducing methane emissions.

The Scale of the Urban Waste Challenge

Andre Dzikus, deputy director of UN-Habitat, presented sobering statistics about the global urban waste crisis. With 2.5 billion additional people expected to move to urban areas by 2050, cities face unprecedented waste management challenges. He revealed that 2.2 billion tons of urban waste are generated annually worldwide, with approximately 70% being improperly disposed of, significantly contributing to carbon emissions and environmental degradation.

Policy Imperatives for Sustainable Cities

Dzikus stressed that effective waste management must be central to sustainable development policies as global urbanization accelerates. "If we want to ensure sustainable development, we need policies that put cities at the center," he stated, advocating for systematic approaches to waste reduction, recycling, and composting. The forum served as a platform for sharing practical solutions that can be scaled globally to address the interconnected challenges of urbanization, waste management, and climate change.