Draft:Zero Waste International Alliance

The Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) is an internationally recognized organization that promotes zero waste standards, policies and best practices for communities and businesses. It was formed in 2003 with the mission to drive systemic change towards Zero Waste using environmental and social justice principles.

History
Established in 2003, ZWIA works towards promoting alternatives to landfill and incineration by raising community awareness about their economic and social benefits. The organization has established an extensive set of guidelines, policies, processes for Zero Waste implementation.

Definition of Zero Waste
ZWIA defines "Zero Waste" as: The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.

This is the internationally peer-reviewed definition as adopted in December 2018.

Zero Waste Hierarchy
ZWIA has adopted a Zero Waste Hierarchy that focuses on Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (including Compost). This hierarchy provides guidance for planning and evaluating solutions towards achieving zero waste. The current Zero Waste Hierarchy is version 8.0, adopted in 2022.

Structure
ZWIA is a globally connected organization through its affiliates and partners. It operates at international, national and local levels involving all sectors of society, initiating research and information sharing for promoting Zero Waste. ZWIA has programs for certification of Businesses, Institutions, Communities and Events.

Affiliates

ZWIA has a network of national affiliates who have endorsed the definition and hierarchy of zero waste:


 * Alianza Basura Cero Uruguay
 * Basura Cero Global (Columbia)
 * Health Environment and Climate Action Foundation (HECAF360) - Nepal
 * Instituto Lixo Zero Brasil
 * Zero Waste Canada
 * Alianza Zero Waste Costa Rica
 * Zero Waste Network Aotearoa New Zealand
 * Zero Waste USA

 Other Organizations Who Endorse the Zero Waste Definition 


 * United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
 * Global Anti-Incinerator Alliance (GAIA)
 * Institute for Local Self Reliance (ILSR)
 * Let's Do It Foundation
 * Recycle Ann Arbor

Recent Events
Some recent activities include:


 * Declaring March 30th as International Day of Zero Waste with the United Nations in 2023
 * Waste Dive Maps US Cities with the Goal of Zero Waste
 * University of Nebraska Holds Zero Waste Event