Zero Waste means the conservation of all resources through responsible production, consumption, reuse and recovery of all products, packaging, and materials, without burning and discharging to land, water or air that threaten the environment or human health. It stands on the 5R principles of waste management that are- Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot. But the main focus of zero waste is to restructuring production and distribution systems to reduce waste. 

The term ‘Zero Waste’ came from Daniel Knapp’s concept of Total Recycling in the early ’80s (Source). From this concept, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government took action for promoting “No Waste by 2010” in 1995. The term morphed into Zero Waste as the concept was brought to small towns in New Zealand at the first Zero Waste conference in Kataia in December 2000 by campaigner Warren Snow (Source). The concept became very popular over time and adopted by many well-known organizations like Grass Roots Recycling Network (GRRN), National Recycling Coalition(NRC), ILSR and Greenpeace almost at the same time. Going on the track, in 2001, the first Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) summit was proposed, and while the reception was positive, funding the event in New Zealand proved difficult. Later in 2003, at an international gathering in Beaumaris, Wales, the Zero Waste International Alliance was discussed and formed.

Today Zero Waste is the standard for living a healthy life with a healthy environment. It is being implemented and promoted all over the world by many local, national and international organizations. And it is now proven that there is no better way to live a zero-waste life. Following this success, Environment and Social Development Organization- ESDO had launched a pilot project named ‘Building Zero Waste Communities for A Pollution-free Environment in Bangladesh’ in July 2020 to ensure the protection of biological diversity and ecological balance as well as to improve the livelihoods, socio-economic status and simultaneously the environmental education of communities in Bangladesh. The goal of the project is to create ecologically and environmentally conscious rural and urban communities that seek and implement appropriate waste management systems to reduce health risks and improve the wellbeing of the community and environment.