Beyond an age of waste Turning rubbish into a resource

Turningrubbish into a resource GlobalWasteManagementOutlook2024ForYouth @2024UnitedNations EnvironmentProgramme Original English version: Disclaimers ISBN:978-92-807-4129-2Jobnumber:DT/2619/NAD0l:https://doi.org/10.59117/20.500.11822/44939 The designations employed and the presentation of thematerial in this publication do not imply the expression ofany opinion whatsoever on thepartof the Secretariat ofthe United Nations concerning the legal status oanycountry.Mentionofacommercial company or product in thisdocument does not imply endortsementbytheUnitedNations Evironment Programme or the authors.The useof information from this docuror advertising is not perrnitted.Traderniark nesandsymbols are used in an editorial fashion with no intentiond inthis publicatien aretheseof theauthors anddo not necossarilyreflect the views of the United NationsEnvironmentProgramme This is an Executive Summary of Global WasteManagement Outlook 2024 for Youth: BeyongWaste-Turning rubbish into a resocept responsibilityfortheaccuracy orcompletenessof the contents of this Executive Summaryfor Youthand shall not be liable for any loss or damage that maybe occasioned directly or indirectly through the use oforreliance on, the contentsof this Executive Summaryfor Youth.In case of inconsistencies, the full version willprevail. This publication may be reproduced in whole or in partand inanyform foreducatienalornon-profitservicesThe United Nations EnvironmentProgrammewouldthis publication as a source. We regretany errors or omissions that mayhave beenunwittingly made. @ Maps.photos, and illustrations as specified Suggested citationUnited Nations Environment Programme (2024).GlobalWasteManagementOutlook2024forYouthBeyond an age of waste -Turning rubbish into a resourceNairobiURL:https://www.unep.cmanagement-outlook-2024 No use of this publication may be made for resale orprior pemission in writing from the United Nationsmission, with a statement of the purpose and extentof thereproduction,shouldbe addressed to unecommunicaticn-director@un.org. This publication was financially supported by the Governments of Japan and Sweden. [UNEPI Globsl Wsste Management Outlcok 2024 I Exeoutive SunrerY Introduction Municipal sold viaste is generated wherever there arehumran settiementsat our homes, schocls and shops, ittypically includes food waste, packaging waste,textiles andelectronic prcducts that are no lcnger of use because theya'e broken worn out or wiere designed to have a short life. Pecple across the globe generate mcre than two ailliontonnes of municipal solicd waste every year. If tinis amountof waste was packecl intc shipping containers and thesecontainers were placed end-to-end,the line of containerswould reach to: the mcon and back, or circle the Eartih 25times. Whyayouthedition? Other human activities—like industry and agriculturealsogenerate significant amounts of waate, Municipal wasteis unique because it is direetly influenoed by he actiors ofeach perscn in the vrorld, even childrer, through our choiceson what to ccnsume ard how to manage the waste P(c sueak nz, japun aue jaued au uo aidoac aajug u aunpue fepot o suapeej a: je a/ ououjw e sou eje am.tomorrow. Pollution from waste kncws rte bcrders and its impoct maylast fer hunidreds of ycars. Given the kong-term impacts ofwasto on the crivironment, ccosysterns anc hurman health,it is cssenbal that youth bc pari ot weste rmanagcrrentdIseussIons. It is very simple: The decisions ve make every day on nowto buy, use and cliscard materials detemine the amount of The Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, a report bytne United Nations, examines the amount of municipal soidwaste worldvide, hew it is maneged, and its impact cn thehealth of humans and the planet. This report reveals the truecosts of weste and proposes actionab'e steps towerds azero waste future. Tre Global Waste Management Qutiook for Youth wascreated because it is vital that we, the younger generaticns,have tne kncwledge and skills to prevent waste andpllution frcm waste. Ths resort teaches us hcw to play anactive role in:addressing the global waste problem. By recucing waste ard making sure we manageunavoidable waste carefully, we can protect the environmentthat we allrely cn. There are lots of ways thst we can allmake a difference.. Read on to find cut more! Glossaryofimportantterms Biodlverslty: The wide range af plant and animal speciesfound in nature Pollution: The introduction of harmful substances orprodusts into the environment. Circular economy: An econcmic model in wrich produ ctsand materials are designed to be reused or recycled sc thatthey last as long as sossible, waste is avoided or minimised,snd greenhouse gas emissicns pre prevented or reduced. Recycling: Processing of waste msterials for the originalpurpose or for other purposes. Reuse: Use of a product more than once in its original fcrm. Climate change: Long-tem change in.the Eairtih's cimate,driven ty incraas ng temperatures