The International Zero-waste City Network is a global network initiated by Basel Convention Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific (BCRC China) in 2022 and co-sponsored by BCRC Argentina, BCRC Egypt, BCRC Indonesia, BCRC Iran, BCRC Russia, BCRC South Africa, and BCCC Uruguay.
Aim
The aim of the Network is to assist cities and other entities with achieving a key set of targets to ensure their long-term environmental, social and economic sustainability within the goals set out by key international, regional and national instruments, policies and other relevant agreements, especially for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The network endeavors to promote the international progress of zero-waste initiatives through sharing good practices, providing technical assistance and capacity building to the members.
Scope
The scope of the Network is to promote the endorsement and mainstreaming of the Network into relevant international instruments, including but not limited to the Basel Convention, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the upcoming plastics convention, and others, as appropriate.
Membership
●Participation is voluntary.
●Open to provinces, cities, counties or any other kind of administrative divisions.
●Membership does not require any financial contribution. Voluntary contributions are welcome.
●Basel Convention regional centres or country governments could serve as a co-sponsor.
Through this network, local authorities from the world can participate training, technology transfer, information, consulting, awareness raising activities.
As of September 20, 2025, the Network have 68 memberships, including 7 provinces, 51 cities, 8 BCRCs, and 2 observer cities.
Development History
The concept of building a zero-waste city has been widely concerned and recognized in the world. In March 2019, the fourth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, in its Resolution 4/7, invited Member States to support innovative waste management initiatives, such as national and local “zero waste” initiatives in some countries to minimize waste and develop adequate infrastructure and other facilities for waste management. On December 14th, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution at its 77th session to proclaim March 30th as International Day of Zero Waste, and to encourage Member States to implement zero-waste initiatives at all levels, so as to promote environmentally sound management of waste and sustainable development.
In June 2021, Back-to-back with the 15th International Conference on Waste Management and Technology, BCRC China organized the First Zero-waste City High Level Forum. At the forum, BCRC China drafted the Declaration on Promoting Zero-waste City Construction. The declaration requires the Executive Director of the BCRC China to consult with relevant city governments to build a zero-waste city network. On June 15, during the 2022 BRS COPs, BCRC China held a side event "Establishing Zero-waste City: From Concept to Practice", and officially launched International Zero-waste City Network.
Since its establishment in 2022, the International Zero-waste City Network has invited more than 87 cities from different countries for exchanges on zero waste policies, experience models, and treatment and disposal technologies, through international conferences, seminars, trainings, and workshops.
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