Aligned with the global mandate established through the UN General Assembly Resolution [77/161] and the creation of the Zero Waste Advisory Board, zero waste is framed as a systemic, upstream-driven approach that prioritizes prevention, resource efficiency, and circular material use across value chains. The resolution emphasizes international cooperation, science–policy integration, and inclusive action across governments, businesses, and communities, recognizing waste as both an environmental and socio-economic challenge. It promotes zero-waste initiatives as a way to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in advancing Sustainable Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and circular economy transitions.

Within this framework, the United Nations Environment Programme plays a central role in advancing the zero waste agenda as part of its broader mandate on pollution reduction, climate action, and sustainable resource management. UNEP supports countries in operationalizing the resolution through policy guidance, technical tools, and capacity-building, while advancing lifecycle approaches, circular economy transitions, and data-driven decision-making across sectors.

From a scientific perspective, zero waste is grounded in circularity principles that address material flows across the full lifecycle, from extraction and design to consumption, reuse, and recovery; aiming to decouple economic growth from resource use and minimize environmental impacts. These principles are actively promoted through UNEP’s workstreams, including lifecycle assessments, extended producer responsibility, sustainable public procurement, and global initiatives on plastics, food systems, and resource efficiency.

The International Day of Zero Waste, established through the same resolution and jointly facilitated by UNEP and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, reinforces this global agenda by raising awareness and catalysing action. It highlights the importance of adopting lifecycle-based, circular approaches to reduce waste generation, lower emissions, and accelerate progress towards sustainable development.