Global Zero Waste Forum 2025 Strengthens International Movement with Unified Framework

The Global Zero Waste Forum 2025 convened sustainability leaders, policymakers, and innovators to advance collective efforts toward a circular, waste-free future. Representing Zero Waste Canada, President Jamie Kaminski participated as an official partner, describing the event as an extraordinary opportunity to connect with global leaders and witness the movement's progress firsthand. The forum highlighted both established pioneers and emerging voices from around the world, reinforcing the international scope of the zero waste movement and the critical role communities and organizations play in driving systemic change.

A significant outcome from the forum was the reaffirmation of the Zero Waste Hierarchy 8.1, developed by the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA), as the guiding framework for global zero waste policies and definitions. This milestone strengthens global alignment on what constitutes true zero waste by prioritizing prevention, reuse, and systemic solutions over disposal methods. The framework establishes clear priorities that help organizations and governments focus on the most effective waste reduction strategies first.

Speakers throughout the event emphasized that achieving zero waste requires addressing the root causes of waste and pollution while ensuring economic and social systems make sustainability accessible, inclusive, and impactful. Participants consistently agreed that zero waste represents more than just a waste management goal—it constitutes a commitment to systemic change that addresses fundamental production and consumption patterns while protecting both human and environmental health.

The forum highlighted Türkiye's leadership in advancing zero waste initiatives, demonstrating how national commitment can drive meaningful progress. This international perspective showcased how different regions are adapting zero waste principles to their specific contexts while maintaining alignment with global standards. The event served as a platform for sharing best practices and innovative approaches from diverse geographical and cultural perspectives.

HSR Zero Waste, which works closely with Zero Waste Canada as part of their shared commitment to advancing the movement, continues to strengthen Canada's leadership in building sustainable and circular systems through ongoing collaboration on event and facility certification initiatives. These certification programs help organizations implement measurable zero waste strategies and demonstrate their environmental commitments through third-party verification.

As the forum concluded, a question posed by Elena Mateo of Zero Waste Costa Rica resonated across discussions: "If you are not for Zero Waste, how much waste are you for?" This sentiment captures the urgency and clarity the movement needs as stakeholders collectively push forward toward waste elimination goals. The Global Zero Waste Forum serves as a critical platform for accelerating this transition worldwide. Learn more about the forum's initiatives at https://globalzerowasteforum.org.

The collaboration between HSR Zero Waste and Zero Waste Canada enables organizations to navigate certification processes effectively, offering guidance and education to ensure successful implementation of zero waste strategies. This partnership supports the broader movement's goal of creating credible, measurable sustainability results across various sectors and scales. Additional information about their certification programs and resources can be found at https://zerowastecanada.ca and https://hsrzerowaste.com.