it is urgent to face the waste crisis to “ensure a sustainable future” for the Planet

On March 30th, the second annual edition of International Zero Waste Dayhighlighted by the United Nations, which highlights the critical need to strengthen waste management worldwide and the importance of sustainable production and consumption practices.

This date celebrates “Zero Waste” initiatives at all levels, which contribute to advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The creation of this date, on December 14, 2022, highlights the importance that this topic has gained in recent years.

Sara Morais Pinto, Member of the board of directors of Zero Waste Lab, spoke with the Leader about the importance of mobilizing society to build a more sustainable world with less waste.

This date was first marked in 2023 by the United Nations. What are the lines of action at a global level?

On this day, the importance of sustainable production and consumption practices is emphasized. The aim is not only to highlight the problem, but also to present solutions and good practices that aim to eliminate the production of waste, reduce waste and promote the reuse, repair and recycling of materials.

The United Nations data is alarming: It is estimated that between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tons of solid urban waste are generated annually, ranging from packaging and electronic products to plastics and food. However, 2.7 billion people have not implemented solid waste collection management policies, and only 61-62 percent of municipal solid waste has an implemented management system. Humanity must act urgently to tackle the waste crisis, and International Zero Waste Day serves as a reminder of this pressing need.

How did they celebrate this date in Portugal?

To celebrate International Zero Waste Day in Portugal, Zero Waste Lab and other organizations collaborated to promote the 2nd edition of “March – Month of Bulk and Reuse”, through the “Liga Ação Towards Zero Waste” Platform. During this month, a variety of events and initiatives were held across the country, including tastings, workshops, showcookings, repair cafes, exchange markets, conversations and debates.

These activities highlighted the environmental benefits of bulk and reuse, bringing together consumers, distributors, activists and environmental associations to promote positive change towards a less wasteful future. A campaign that brought together more than 100 participants, including stores, cafes, restaurants, associations, ecotattoos, activists, environmental organizations. There were 76 ambassadors giving a voice and face to this cause, taking it to more people, and the digital campaign registered more than 500 references with the hashtags mesdogranel and mesdograneledareutilização , with a national agenda with 72 events.

What are the main economic and social benefits that can come from a Zero Waste philosophy?

The main benefits include the reduction of costs associated with waste management, the creation of new jobs in industry and commerce, the promotion of the circular and regenerative economy, the preservation of natural resources and the improvement of the quality of life of communities.

Furthermore, a Zero Waste philosophy promotes less waste, fosters greater respect and care among citizenscontributes to better health, stimulates cultural and educational development, and promotes a higher level of cooperation, inclusion and social justice.

What behaviors and measures should companies, organizations and society implement to produce less waste and use less resources?

To promote a more sustainable approach to waste and resources, it is essential that we adopt a series of behaviors and measures that aim to reduce waste and make more efficient use of available resources. There are several actions that can be taken: firstly, It is important that companies and organizations adopt more sustainable production practicessuch as the use of packaging eco-friendly and the implementation of more efficient production processes.

Society also plays a crucial role in reducing waste and using resources more responsibly. This includes promoting conscious consumption habits, such as purchasing durable products and preferring bulk products, for example. The practice of ‘5 Rs’ is also very important: refuse, reduce, reuse, repair and recycle. You can, for example, refuse unnecessary products or excessive packaging or reduce resource consumption through simple measures, such as turning off electrical appliances when they are not in use.

What are the challenges related to implementing zero waste practices?

The challenges are diverse and complex. They include the need to make sustainable alternatives more accessible to everyone by ensuring they are easily available and affordable. Information and communication play a fundamental role, raising awareness and educating the population about zero waste practices, ensuring that everyone understands the benefits. However, systemic change in industry and global policies are essential and imply a profound transformation in production and consumption modelspromoting sustainability at all stages of the value chain.

Social justice also plays a vital role, ensuring that measures taken do not exacerbate existing inequalities and ensure that everyone has equal access to the opportunities and benefits of zero-waste practices.

What is the history and creation process of Zero Waste Lab?

Zero Waste Lab is a Non-Governmental Development Organization, founded in 2017, with the mission of promoting the Zero Waste concept and proactively contributing to the responsible transition towards a waste-free future. We are a collective of associates and activists around the world.

Taking Zero Waste as a philosophy, inspired by nature’s ability to transform what is not useful for one person into food for another, means going beyond minimizing negative impact, seeking regenerative participation and a positive legacy. Not only in mitigating waste production, but also in the power of influence of a person or organization in its circuit and relationships, as an example that mobilizes a community – movement generates movement. We build bridges between different social sectors and promote collaboration, strengthening networks and promoting local actions that transform behaviors and reinforce the sense of community.

What projects and initiatives do you have underway?

We have a variety of projects and initiatives underway, all of them aligned with our commitment to a more sustainable and regenerative future. The Liga Ação Platform is one of our main initiatives. It is a digital community management platform dedicated to reducing waste. Through it, we bring together organizations and citizens from different sectors of Portuguese civil society to create a collaborative network capable of influencing public decision-making processes and driving political changes towards a more sustainable and regenerative future.

Another important project is the Zero Waste Urban Park, an international project funded by ERASMUS+, which involves NGOs and Urban Parks from Portugal, Spain, Poland and Belgium. This project aims to promote Zero Waste measures in Urban Parks, from communication to effective resource management. We are developing a Zero Waste Urban Parks Handbook, which will also be a source of inspiration and will contribute to networks with a positive impact on the management of natural resources and efficiency in waste management, in accordance with national and European policies.

We also work with Green Laboratories, such as Green Labs Certification, applying sustainability in research laboratories. In 2023, we certified the first MyGreenLab in Portugal, in the Genetics Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto.

We also offer training for leaders in various areas, such as Sustainable Event Production, Zero Waste Way of Life, Zero Waste Pedagogy and Escola a Compostar. These trainings aim to provide participants with the necessary tools to promote more sustainable practices in different contexts.

What are the partnerships and pillars to support the development of Zero Waste Lab’s activities?

Zero Waste Lab bases the development of its activities on the consolidation of partnerships and strategic pillars that cover different sectors and scales of activity. Our partnerships encompass Civil Society, Municipalities, Companies, Associations, Schools and other entities, creating a multifaceted network to support our mission.

Additionally, we collaborate with International Organizations, both for-profit and non-profit, strengthening our global impact. Our ultimate objective is reach a point where the existence of Zero Waste Lab is no longer necessary, as a model of systemic change has been established in our societiesthrough a consolidated commitment to a positive legacy and cooperation between everyone.

In financial terms, many of our knowledge transmission, experimentation and innovation projects are made possible through structured financing from international and national financing lines.

What legislation and support exist to promote these practices in the European Union?

In the European Union, despite the existence of legislation and support aimed at promoting sustainable practices, it is undeniable that there is still a long way to go. O European Green Deal sets ambitious targets such as climate neutrality by 2050but implementation has been slow and uneven across member states.

Existing laws often prove to be insufficient or are not applied adequately, which allows practices that are harmful to the environment to persist. Additionally, funding for sustainable projects is often limited or targeted to low-impact areas, while highly polluting sectors receive little attention. European initiatives and programs stand out, such as the European Plastics Strategy, which aims to reduce plastic pollution and promote recycling, reuse and reducing the consumption of single-use plastics.

What progress has been made in Portugal in waste treatment and attitudes towards waste?

Analysis of the 2022 annual urban waste report, released by the Portuguese Environment Agency, revealed that the results are still not as significant as expected, with undifferentiated collection remaining predominant. Concern increases when we realize that approximately 57% of urban waste is still deposited in landfillshighlighting the urgency to adopt more sustainable practices in waste management in Portugal.

It is imperative that we join forces with authorities, companies and civil society to implement innovative solutions and achieve more efficient and responsible waste management.

The time to act is now, and the need for decisive action is clear to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. The production of urban waste in mainland Portugal of 5 million tons, corresponds to an annual capitation of 507 kg per inhabitant, a daily production of 1.39 kg per inhabitant.

Which countries serve as models of good practice?

Instead of highlighting specific countries, it is important to highlight that there are several initiatives and good practices around the world, which serve as inspiring examples. Each city ​​that adopted Zero Waste certification, for example, incorporates a set of exemplary practices in its efforts to understand, monitor and track waste. Furthermore, Zero Waste Europe initiatives have been instrumental in promoting sustainable practices across Europe, demonstrating that collaboration and commitment to reducing waste can be applied in different contexts and scales.