Waste Wise Cities Campaign

Challenges

In 2016, the global population generated two billion tonnes of waste, a figure likely to double to four billion tonnes annually by 2050. High-income countries, representing some 16 % of the world’s population, generate a third of all solid waste. However, other regions are quickly – and regrettably – catching up, with Sub-Saharan set to triple its waste production over the next 30 years. The combination of these growing volumes of waste and the inadequate collection and disposal of waste has resulted in the proliferation of illegal dumpsites, waste burning, and the pollution of air, land and water sources in cities around the globe. The associated greenhouse gas emissions are also a major contributor to climate change. Poor waste management practices are not only harmful in themselves, they also ignore the great potential for resource recovery from waste, the opportunities for income and employment generation waste management entails, and improvements in quality of life for urban citizens through reduced pollution. Irrespective of their size and financial capacity, cities thus urgently need to decrease waste generation, improve municipal waste collection and management, increase levels of recycling and enhance the management of hazardous waste. Through the creation of sustainable finance mechanisms, green jobs and business opportunities and a vibrant local circular economy, cities have the potential to become true ‘waste wise cities’.

To support cities and local governments in reaching those aims and place the issue of waste management high on the political agenda, UN-Habitat launched the Waste Wise Cities Campaign. Cities taking up the invitation to join the Campaign commit to adhering to twelve key Waste Wise Principles, collecting data on waste management and using these in decision-making processes, and monitoring and improving on waste-related SDGs. Upon signing the letter of intent by the local authorities, a baseline waste management profile is created which underpins the continuous monitoring and annual evaluation of the city’s progress towards becoming a Waste Wise City, as well as the wider success of the Campaign. UN-Habitat plays a key role in facilitating this process through assisting cities in data collection and monitoring, sharing best practices and sustaining the network of member cities, designing outreach, advocacy and educational activities and helping the development of sound financial plans and bankable projects. In so doing, the Campaign targets primarily SDGs 11 and 12 on sustainable cities and responsible consumption and production.