Municipal solid waste poses a growing threat that surpasses local and regional boundaries. It has become a global challenge, with mounting public health, environmental, social, and economic costs. Every year, across the globe, two billion tonnes of municipal solid waste is generated. This amount is set to double by 2050. 40% of the municipal solid waste generated globally in 2020 was not properly managed and some 2.7 billion people still lack access to basic waste collection services. Insufficient sound management of waste is a major contributor to many public health and environmental impacts, as well as exacerbating the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. Globally, transitioning towards a circular economy has become a priority agenda for many countries and regions, aiming to address waste management and resource efficiency through waste reduction and the reintegration of waste materials into production cycles.   

This session "Circular Economy and Waste Management: Ensuring a Just Transition'' aims to highlight the latest trends, innovations, and good practices in waste management. It will showcase key enablers and the role of different actors at international, national and local levels, highlighting the significant role of waste pickers, to further advance  the transition to a circular economy. In line with the overarching theme of the Forum, “Addressing Inequalities and Enabling Just Transitions through SCP, including Circular Economy,” it will highlight how the circular economy model offers a pathway to reducing environmental impacts while fostering economic opportunities and social equity. 

The session will discuss the potential of legally binding treaties and international regulations to enhance global cooperation in waste management. The Basel Convention plays a critical role in controlling transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and promoting environmentally sound waste management practices. Furthermore, innovative financing mechanisms such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, have proven effective in some regions; in the European Union, EPR has significantly increased recycling rates and reduced landfill usage. It will also explore how cities can adopt circular economy principles to create sustainable and equitable waste management systems. Real-world examples and good practices from organizations that have successfully implemented circular strategies will be shared, highlighting the transformative potential of these approaches. By leveraging international cooperation, innovative financing, and inclusive policies, societies can turn waste management challenges into opportunities for sustainable development and social equity. Critically, the session elaborates on the perspective of inequalities in waste management, particularly the inclusion and empowerment of informal waste pickers and marginalized communities, ensuring a just and inclusive transition. 

Auditorium, Museu do Amanhã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 

Join the live session stream online, and watch the youtube upload after the event