Zero Waste Day Celebration | Towards Zero Food Waste Through Multistakeholder Action

The 2026 celebration of the International Day of Zero Waste in Geneva, taking place on 30 March 2026, focuses on food waste, a critical yet preventable driver of the triple planetary crisis.

Our planet is drowning in waste, fueled by unsustainable production and consumption. Globally, 2.1 billion to 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated yearly – from packaging and electronics to plastics and food. If current trends continue, we will generate 3.8 billion tonnes annually by 2050, according to the Global Waste Outlook 2024. Poorly managed waste can leach chemical pollutants into the soil, decreasing plant growth and productivity and contaminating water sources. It can also accumulate in the food chain and alter reproductive functions in wildlife and humans.

Food waste is a major driver of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution. Billions of tonnes of waste, from food to plastics, are mismanaged each year, harming people and the planet. Globally, food loss and waste generate 8–10 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. This is almost five times more than the aviation sector, while 783 million people go hungry. A zero-waste approach is key to sustainable production and consumption, towards building a sustainable future for all.

To celebrate the 2026 edition of International Day of Zero Waste, leading voices from Geneva and beyond joining the panel of this event will highlight steps taken to move forward the zero-waste agenda and key initiatives to reduce food waste. Geneva is a major global hub for the governance of hazardous substances and home to numerous international, intergovernmental, non-governmental and business organizations aiming at reaching the zero-waste goal, including in the food sector.

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