- Cities join 25 other cities, states and regions committed to C40’s Advancing Towards Zero Waste Declaration
- Combined, the 27 signatories will avoid disposal of at least 140 million tons of waste by 2030.
Today, the cities of Boston, USA, & Stockholm, Sweden committed to significantly cut the amount of waste they generate and send to landfill and incineration, accelerating them on the path towards zero waste.
By signing C40’s Advancing Towards Zero Waste Declaration, these signatories have pledged to cut the amount of waste generated by each citizen 15% by 2030, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incineration by 50% and increase the diversion rate to 70% by 2030.
They join 25 other cities, states and regions around the world, already committed to the Declaration – Auckland, Catalonia, Copenhagen, Dubai, London, Los Angeles, Milan, Montreal, Navarra, New York City, Newburyport, Paris, Philadelphia, Portland, Rotterdam, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Monica, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver, Wales & Washington, D.C.
Once implemented, the commitments made by these 27 signatories will avoid disposal of at least 140 million tons of waste by 2030.
Worldwide waste generation is increasing faster than any other environmental pollutant and action in this sector has the potential to reduce global emissions by up to 20%. Such action will be essential to limit global temperature rise to below 1.5 °C and avoid climate breakdown.
The Advancing Towards Zero Waste Declaration is built on two bold commitments:
- Reducing the municipal solid waste generation per capita by at least 15% by 2030 compared to 2015; and
- Reducing the amount of municipal solid waste disposed to landfill and incineration by at least 50% by 2030 compared to 2015, and increasing the diversion rate away from landfill and incineration to at least 70% by 2030.
“In Stockholm, we have worked for decades to continuously reduce waste generation and steer new waste fractions towards recycling,” says Anna König Jerlmyr, Mayor of Stockholm. “More and more of what we produce and consume must build on the principle of circular economy, with greater restraint in the use of finite resources and a focus on eliminating waste. We are determined to keep improving in this area, for the benefit of our citizens and our planet.”
“Preparing Boston for climate change means ensuring our city is sustainable, both now and in the future,” said Marty Walsh, Mayor of Boston. “We need to lead, and design city policies that work for our residents, and for the environment and world we depend upon. These initiatives will lead Boston towards becoming a zero waste city, and invest in the future of residents and generations to come.”
Boston and Stockholm announced their commitment ahead of the C40 World Mayors Summit, taking place in Copenhagen, Oct 9th-12th.