To mark International Day of Zero Waste on 30 March, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste selected 20 leading cities advancing toward zero waste, recognizing their solutions as practical examples that can inspire and be adapted worldwide.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste has selected the inaugural 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste. The initiative aims to recognize city leadership, promote the exchange of good practices, and inspire other cities to accelerate their transition toward circular, zero waste systems at the local level. Announced ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste 2026 on 30 March, ten ICLEI Members were among the selected cities.
These cities were: Accra (Ghana), Bologna (Italy), Chefchaouen (Morocco), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Dehiwala City (Sri Lanka), Florianópolis (Brazil), Gaziantep (Türkiye), George Town (Malaysia), Hangzhou City (China), Iloilo City (Philippines), Kisumu (Kenya), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Lilongwe (Malawi), San Fernando (Philippines), San Francisco (United States), Sanya City (China), Suzhou City (China), Varkala (India), City of Yokohama (Japan) and Zapopan (Mexico).
In response to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for transformative action on waste, the initiative highlights ambitious and innovative approaches to reducing waste, advancing circular economy solutions, and building more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban systems. Selected based on impact, policy frameworks, equity, innovation, and scalability, these cities offer practical solutions that can inspire and be adapted worldwide.
Cities play a critical role in addressing the global waste crisis and its impacts on climate, biodiversity, public health, and livelihoods. Over 2.1 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated annually, underscoring the need for solutions such as organic waste management, reuse systems, circular economy policies, and community-driven approaches. This initiative contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Hosted by UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) and UN Environment Programme, the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste works to raise awareness and promote initiatives that accelerate the transition to sustainable waste management, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Chaired by the First Lady of Türkiye, H.E. Emine Erdoğan, the Board is a multidisciplinary, regionally and gender-balanced group of 12 worldwide eminent advisors, including ICLEI Secretary General Gino Van Begin.
Congratulations to our ten ICLEI Members and their initiatives (in alphabetical order):
Bologna, Italy
Bologna has achieved over 79% separate waste collection through an ambitious citywide strategy. The city promotes reuse systems, reduces single-use waste, and engages communities to advance circular practices.
Chefchaouen, Morocco
The city’s efforts in sustainable waste management, include the development of a feasibility study for an integrated project on the management, treatment, and valorization of organic waste, prepared in coordination with international partners such as GIZ, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the The City Climate Finance Gap Fund.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The community-driven model implemented by Dar es Salaam integrates waste picker cooperatives and achieves up to 95% waste diversion. Led by local initiatives, it combines full organic waste management with inclusive economic opportunities, while advancing scalable, government-supported solutions across multiple city neighborhoods and regions in Tanzania.
Florianópolis, Brazil
The city implemented Brazil’s first zero-waste program in 1986. Since then, has set ambitious landfill diversion targets and uses open data and partnerships to improve operations. Its pioneer model combines strong governance with innovation, integrating policy, technology, and community engagement, aiming to become a zero-waste capital by 2030.
Gaziantep, Türkiye
Gaziantep combines infrastructure investment with education and inclusive waste management systems. Its Mechanical Biological Treatment Facility recovers significant recyclable materials, while citywide campaigns drive behavior change. The city had integrated informal waste collectors into a safer and more formalized system, promoting social inclusion alongside environmental outcomes.
Iloilo City, Philippines
The city has strengthened its circular economy approach, increasing recyclable recovery by 48% in three years. Expanded composting programs reduce landfill waste. Partnerships with waste workers and institutions support inclusive resource recovery.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Through the Kuala Lumpur Towards Zero Waste 2040 policy, the city targets major reductions in organic and non-organic waste. Under its 4P model (Public-Private-People-Partnership) the city ensures systemic change through shared responsibility.
Lilongwe, Malawi
The city is transforming its waste system by turning all 27 wards into active recycling hubs, diverting significant waste from landfills while strengthening local participation. Its model supports resilience and inclusive urban development.
Yokohama, Japan
Yokohama has reduced waste by 50% despite population growth through strong community engagement. Its “STYLE100” initiative promotes sustainable lifestyles across the city. The approach combines behavioral change with long-term circular economy goals. Currently, 29 STYLEs have been identified, and more than 240,000 residents have participated in the initiative.
Zapopan, Mexico
Zapopan promotes community-led waste management through neighborhood collection points, involving residents from planning to operation and strengthening long-term ownership. Many of these sites are managed directly by communities, ensuring continuity beyond political cycles. The city also advances food waste reduction through programs that collect food scraps from restaurants and hotels.
Learn more about these initiatives here.
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