Humanity produces 2.1 to 2.3 billion tons of municipal solid waste each year. When mismanaged, much of this waste—from food and plastics to electronics and textiles—releases greenhouse gases or toxic chemicals. This damages ecosystems, causes disease, and threatens economic prosperity, disproportionately harming women and youth.

On March 30, the world will mark International Zero Waste Day. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the observance highlights the importance of proper waste management. It also focuses on ways to reduce the conspicuous consumption that fuels the waste crisis.

“Overconsumption is killing us. Humanity needs action,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “On this Zero Waste Day, let us commit to ending the destructive cycle of waste once and for all.” (More on unep.org)