The Global Zero Waste Forum 2025 brought together global sustainability leaders, policymakers, and innovators to advance the collective mission toward a circular, waste-free future. Representing Zero Waste Canada, President Jamie Kaminski attended the forum as an official partner and reflected on the event as an extraordinary opportunity to connect with global leaders and witness the movement's progress firsthand. The forum highlighted Türkiye's leadership in advancing Zero Waste initiatives while reinforcing the international scope of the movement and the critical role that communities and organizations play in driving systemic change.
The forum reaffirmed the Zero Waste Hierarchy 8.1, developed by the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA), as the guiding framework for global Zero Waste policies and definitions. This milestone strengthens global alignment on what "Zero Waste" truly means by prioritizing prevention, reuse, and systemic solutions over disposal. Speakers emphasized that achieving Zero Waste requires addressing the root causes of waste and pollution while ensuring that economic and social systems make sustainability accessible, inclusive, and impactful. The unified framework provides clarity for organizations and governments worldwide seeking to implement effective waste reduction strategies.
Across all sessions, participants and leading voices agreed that Zero Waste is not simply a waste management goal but a commitment to systemic change. The movement addresses the root causes of waste and pollution while protecting both human and environmental health. This comprehensive approach represents a significant shift from traditional waste management practices toward holistic solutions that consider the entire lifecycle of materials and products. The forum's discussions highlighted how this systemic perspective can drive meaningful environmental and economic benefits across industries and communities.
HSR Zero Waste works closely with Zero Waste Canada as part of a shared commitment to advancing the Zero Waste movement. Through ongoing collaboration on event and facility certification initiatives, both organizations continue to strengthen Canada's leadership in building sustainable and circular systems. This partnership enables organizations to achieve credible and measurable sustainability results through programs like the Zero Waste Canada Facility Certification and Event Certification. The certification process provides organizations with clear guidelines and standards for implementing effective waste reduction strategies.
As the forum concluded, one question resonated deeply across all discussions: "If you are not for Zero Waste, how much waste are you for?" This sentiment from Elena Mateo of Zero Waste Costa Rica captures the urgency and clarity the movement needs as stakeholders collectively push forward. The Global Zero Waste Forum serves as a crucial platform for sharing knowledge and best practices, with detailed information available at globalzerowasteforum.org. HSR Zero Waste celebrates this global collaboration and remains dedicated to driving measurable impact through education, certification, and community action, with resources accessible through hsrzerowaste.com.
