“Zero Waste is a goal that is both pragmatic and visionary, to guide people to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are resources for others to use. Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them. Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water, or air that may be a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health. ” Definition of Zero Waste as that adopted by the Zero Waste International Alliance
According to the World Bank*, city dwellers generate 2.2 billion tons of waste per year in 2025, against 1.3 billion today. The deal will cost 298 billion Euros per year, against 163 billion today. This is in China, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa as the volume of waste increases faster. In the MENA region known as the waste is currently 63 million tons per year. It will be 135 million in 2025. If the number of urban dwellers is multiplied by 1.59, the amount of waste will be therefore 2.14. Unlike OECD countries, waste increase, the Middle East and North Africa, faster than people even if the quantity produced per capita (1.43 kg per day per person) remains lower than in the OECD (2.1 kg). (*Reed full report here)
"Zero Waste MENA” is a new initiative by professionals and environmentalists to promote sustainable practices and provide all support to create zero waste communities in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Region. Our primary goal is closing all landfills in the MENA region. ZW MENA is established to help schools, universities, organizations, cities and even countries to create better environment.
To create zero waste communities, ZW MENA believes in the following concepts to achieve zero waste communities;
- It’s a cultural change process.
- Community engagement through education and participation is indispensable for the success of any Zero Waste plan.
- The waste management infrastructure in the MENA must be designed to phase out waste following the waste hierarchy; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
- Highlight the private sector role in creating green jobs and adopt green strategies.
- Qualified and trained professionals, policy makers and citizens are vital to advance in the paradigm shift and in progressively phasing out waste.
ZW MENA Strategy to Pursue Zero Waste in the MENA region:
- Promote the concept of Zero Waste through awareness campaigns in the local and national level.
- Engage the community and public to promote zero waste plans.
- Private sector involvement to achieve an economic development in the societies.
ZW MENA welcomes professionals, organizations and institutions to be part of this project. If you want to know more about our services, discuss ideas, be one of us, visit us at www.zerowastemena.org
ZW MENA Team
