JAN 8, 2024: Daily Recap 

IZWM at a glance: Here’s what happened today!

  • Simultaneous provincewide plogging (Philippines)

Today, in the Philippines, in the Province of Quirino, all 132 of its barangays will conduct plogging activities for 4 consecutive weeks in January. Effective IEC on zero waste shall be conducted in at least 6 Secondary schools.

  • Reuse Tour: Networking Dinner (Indonesia)

In the ongoing battle against plastic pollution, significant strides have been made both globally and in Indonesia. The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in February 2022 unanimously approved a resolution to end plastic pollution, setting the stage for a legally binding treaty by 2024 that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. In Indonesia, the Minister of Environment and Forestry issued a regulation targeting waste reduction by producers, with a focus on single-use plastics (SUP), to be effective from January 1, 2030. To support this, Dietplastik Indonesia launched the Jakarta Reuse Movement in 2022, in collaboration with Zero Waste Living Lab by Enviu, aiming to reduce SUP consumption and promote a reuse system. The movement has been implementing a #ReuseProtocol in public events like music festivals in Bali and is preparing a reuse roadmap for Indonesia. To further these efforts, Dietplastik Indonesia and Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific are planning a Reuse Tour in Indonesia, aiming to share knowledge, and experiences, and build stronger partnerships for implementing reuse solutions.

  • A Comprehensive Analysis of Challenges in Achieving Zero Waste (India)

In collaboration with GAIA, the Socio-Economic Unit Foundation (SEUF) is planning a series of activities from January 8 to January 12, 2024, as part of the Zero Waste Month initiatives, focusing on the theme “Barriers to Zero Waste”. These activities, which include outreach, lectures, forums, interviews, and awareness campaigns, will take place in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India, specifically in the Mannar and Chennithala Tripperumthura Panchayats. Key stakeholders involved include the Haritha Karma Sena, the Suchitwa Mission, and the Haritha Keralam Mission, all providing various forms of support and technical assistance. SEUF, an accredited agency specializing in water, sanitation, and hygiene, will serve as the Harithasahayasthapanam for 43 local self-governments in Kerala, assisting in waste management. The zero-waste program will initially be implemented in the Mannar and Chennithala Tripperumthura Panchayats and later replicated in other local self-governments.

  • Sharing knowledge of alternatives to plastic use (China)

Green Camel Bell has compiled a research report detailing Japan’s strategies for reducing plastic usage, with plans to disseminate the findings among Chinese organizations. Today marks the first day of the initiative, which aims to introduce innovative methods that could help China reduce its reliance on plastics. Additionally, Green Camel Bell is organizing a community event in a Gansu township to promote the concept of zero-waste villages. The event will focus on educating the community about the ecological and health impacts of plastic use, particularly in rural settings, and will demonstrate the detrimental effects of plastic pollution on health.

  • Road to Zero Waste in Sri Lanka; reducing the use of plastic bags and packaging through shifting consumer habits (Sri Lanka)

Today, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) successfully launched the event titled “Road to Zero Waste in Sri Lanka; reducing the use of plastic bags and packaging through shifting consumer habits.” The event, which took place in the Colombo district, specifically in Borella, Nugegoda, and Colombo Fort, targeted the general public, including students and youth. The Zero Waste project team led the initiative, which aimed to address the environmental challenges posed by plastic and polythene. As part of the event, CEJ screened movies related to plastic pollution and distributed educational leaflets on plastic alternatives, encouraging the adoption of refill and reuse systems. The event was a significant step towards inspiring the public to consider sustainable alternatives to plastic and polythene use. The event will last until January 11, 2024.

  • AntiPlastic Earth (Tanzania)

Today, GAYO launches Anti Plastic Earth! This event is a fully packed project with a series of activities, including education, clean-ups, brand audits, and recycling workshops to curb plastic pollution in the Northern region of Ghana through community sensitization and engagement. The event will be launched in January with media publicity through TV/ radio interviews and social media campaigns.

Call to Action

  • Share your International Zero Waste Month experience using the hashtags and tag us on  Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Tiktok. This is a sure way for us to see your messages and cross-post them on GAIA’s social media platforms!#ZeroWasteMonth #ZeroWasteMonth2024 #IZWM2024 #ChooseReuse #GoForZeroWaste
  • For Reuse Events in Jakarta: We encourage all of the participants to publish the program’s activities on all social media platforms. You can use the following hashtags: #ReuseRevolution #ReuseTour #ReuseConference #InternationalZeroWasteMonth #ZeroWasteMonth2024 #IZWM2024 #GoForZeroWaste #ZeroWasteOurFuture #ChooseReuse #JKTReuseTour #PlasticDiet #BreakFreeFromPlastic and tag @iddkp, @zerowasteasia (on IG), @GAIAAsiaPacific (on FB), and @breakfreefromplastic.
  • Help us spread the word this January! Check our International Zero Waste Month branding guide 
  • To organize your own or join an event, check out the Zero Waste Festival website.

For more information and updates, please check out the IZWM2024 landing page: https://2024-zwmonth.zerowaste.asia