The International Day of Zero Waste: Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles

This document outlines the 2025 observance of the United Nations’ International Day of Zero Waste on 30 March, focusing on reducing waste and promoting circularity in the fashion and textile sector. Globally, between 2.1 and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated each year, including 92 million tonnes of textiles—equivalent to a garbage truck of clothing incinerated or landfilled every second. Discarded clothing often ends up in the Global South, where inadequate waste management results in dumping, burning, and severe social and environmental impacts. Waste pollution contributes to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. UNEP and UN-Habitat will lead a global digital campaign and host flagship events, inviting governments, civil society, businesses, and communities to register zero-waste initiatives and commitments. Their programmes, including the International Environmental Technology Centre, Life Cycle Initiative, and Waste Wise Cities, will provide technical expertise, data, and platforms to advance sustainable production, reuse, repair, and systemic waste prevention across cities and supply chains.