SOLID WASTE
MANAGEMENT
ZERO WASTE
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Introduction
Waste management is one of the biggest global challenges,
affecting public health, pollution, and environmental
sustainability.
Because of modern society’s consumption, waste production
keeps increasing, leading to serious environmental and
economic problems.
Zero Waste philosophy: Approach that guide us toward a more
sustainable way of living
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The amount of garbage produced worldwide is
expected to increase from 2.01 billion tons in 2016 to
3.4 billion tons by 2050
Waste: “any substance, object, or generally any
movable property that its holder discards or
Understanding intends to discard.”
the Waste Waste includes materials that could still be useful :
60% of household waste could be reused or recycled
Problem but our current systems encourage disposal instead
Waste is often seen as a normal part of life but
waste results from inefficient production,
distribution, and consumption.
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Developed countries, despite having advanced
waste management systems, produce the most
waste
People living in developed countries represent
16% of the world’s population but generate 34%
of global household waste.
Understanding
This is due to mass consumption, aggressive
the Waste marketing, planned obsolescence, and social
norms that encourage short-term product use.
Problem
If everyone consumed as many resources as
developed countries, we would need
between 3.3 to 5 planets to sustain our
needs.
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The
Environmental
Plastic
and Economic
1.7 million tons of plastic waste
entering the oceans every year
Impact of
Now: 30 million tons of plastic in
Waste
the oceans
killing over one million seabirds and
100,000 marine mammals each year.
Landfills release methane.
Incineration reduces landfill waste but creates toxic pollution.
From an economic perspective, waste management is becoming more expensive.
In 2020, WM costs were estimated at $252 billion ⟶ expected to double by 2050
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Zero Waste
A New Way to Manage Waste
Traditional SWM focuses on collecting, transporting, treating, and disposing of
waste
Zero Waste philosophy aims to stop waste before it even happens
According to the Zero Waste International Alliance, the goal is to divert at least
90% of waste from landfills and incinerators.
Reducing consumption by making
better shopping choices
Reusing products through repair,
second-hand markets, and upcycling
Recycling properly to ensure
materials get a second life 6
The Challenges of
Recycling
Recycling is often seen as the best solution to waste,
but it has many problems.
A major issue is contamination—if just one non-
recyclable item is mixed with recyclables, the whole
batch can be sent to the landfill.
2023, the EU had achieved an Recycling also requires a lot of energy, making waste
average recycling rate of 48% prevention a better solution.
9% of plastic waste is successfully
recycled
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Ways to Achieve Public Awareness and
Zero Waste Education
In wealthy societies, efficient waste
Making Products Last Longer systems make the problem seem invisible,
leading to less personal responsibility.
Repairing and upcycling projects help People need to understand the impact of
keep materials in use for a longer time. their waste
to shop more intelligently to stop
Encouraging second-hand markets overconsumption and wastage.
allows consumers to buy and sell used
goods so it helps to prolong the life of Governments and organizations should
materials and lower consumption by keep run campaigns to promote sustainable
materials in circulation longer. consumption.
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Banning Single-Use Ways to Achieve
Plastics and packing
Zero Waste
The packaging industry produces a lot of
waste, particularly single-use plastics.
In 2016 alone, 242 million tons of plastic
waste were generated, it’s approximately Supporting the Circular
12% of waste from households. Economy
We need to replace single-use plastics Products should be designed for
with biodegradable options. reuse, repair, or easy recycling.
Every single-use item must be banned Improving recycling systems,
and replaced by biodegradable materials composting programs, and deposit-
and refillable systems and reusable return schemes will make waste
containers, glass bottles, totes bag,… management more effective.
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Industry-Specific Zero-Waste Strategies
Fashion
The fashion industry generates 4 million tons of textile waste yearly in Europe.
Fast fashion encourages overconsumption with low-quality, short-lived
clothing.
In response, sustainable brands promote recycling, upcycling, and durable
products. The slow fashion movement and platforms like Vinted support
mindful consumption, favoring timeless, high-quality pieces and capsule
wardrobes.
Brands like Eastpak, offering 50-year guarantees, show the value of long-
lasting design.
Innovative materials, such as plant-based leather and biodegradable fabrics,
also help reduce fashion’s environmental impact.
For more variety, clothing rental services offer a sustainable alternative to fast
fashion. 10
Industry-Specific Zero-Waste Strategies
Conctruction
The construction sector is a big source of waste. In 2018, France produced
343 million tons of waste, and 240 million tons came just from construction
and public works.
A lot of this comes from demolition. Choosing to renovate instead of
demolishing can reduce waste a lot.
Modular and prefabricated buildings also help, because they can be taken
apart and reused instead of destroyed.
Over 90% of construction waste is made of materials like concrete and
bricks. About 70% of this is recycled or reused as backfill.
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Conclusion
Adopting a Zero Waste mindset is necessary for
long-term sustainability. Everyone has a role to
play in waste reduction.
By making smarter choices, supporting circular
solutions, and working together to create a
cleaner, healthier future for everyone.
The time to act is now. Let’s rethink waste!
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THANK YOU
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SOURCES
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https://www.banquemondiale.org/fr/news/press-release/2018/09/20/global-waste-to-grow-by-70-percent-by-2050-unless-urgent-
action-is-taken-world-bank-report.
European Environment Agency. Waste recycling in Europe - https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/indicators/waste-recycling-
in-europe.
Green Earth. Waste Management - https://www.green.earth/waste-management.
OECD. (2022). Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly as waste management and recycling fall short -
https://www.oecd.org/en/about/news/press-releases/2022/02/plastic-pollution-is-growing-relentlessly-as-waste-management-
and-recycling-fall-short.html?utm.
Ouest-France. Surconsommation : Comprendre ses impacts et ses enjeux - https://lemagdelaconso.ouest-france.fr/dossier-657-
surconsommation.html.
UNICEF. (2022). Over-consumption in the world’s richest countries destroying children’s environments globally -
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/over-consumption-worlds-richest-countries-destroying-childrens-environments-globally.
Gouvernement Français. Les producteurs de déchets. - https://www.notre-environnement.gouv.fr/themes/economie/les-dechets-
ressources/article/les-producteurs-de-dechets.
Agenda 2030. Réduction des déchets et fast fashion. - https:/www.agenda-2030.fr/a-la-une/mobiliser-pour-le-developpement-
durable/article/reduction-des-dechets-et-fast-fashion.
International Finance Corporation (IFC). (2024). The world has a waste problem. https://www.ifc.org/en/blogs/2024/the-world-
has-a-waste-problem
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Statista. (n.d.). Waste generation worldwide - Statistics & facts. - https://www.statista.com/topics/4983/waste-generation-
worldwide/#topicOverview
