Trash Talk: A Twitter Chat on Sustainable Waste Management and Climate Action

In an era of rapid urbanization and increasing climate risks, solid waste management is critical for sustainable, healthy, and inclusive cities and communities, yet it is often overlooked.

As you will see in a new report titled What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050, the world is on a trajectory to increase waste generation by 70% by 2050. If we don’t manage waste properly, it can harm our health, our environment, and even our prosperity. Mismanaged waste is also increasing climate risks, which disproportionately affect the poor.

Plastics are a profoundly difficult and complex problem. Plastic litter is polluting rivers, waterways, and oceans. Even when plastic waste is collected, many countries don’t have the capacity to process the waste.

The good news is that solutions already exist to stem the tide. We just need all levels of society to take action as climate change threatens to adversely impact sustainable urban development. The time for action is now!

On the occasion of the launch of the “What a Waste 2.0” report and World Habitat Day, +SocialGood, World Bank, and others are partnering to host a Twitter chat that explores megatrends on solid waste management as well as innovative solutions to the global waste challenge to help fight climate change and create sustainable cities and communities.

Date: October 3, 2018

Time: 10 am ET / 7 am PT / 14:00 GMT / 15:00 BST / 16:00 CET / 17:00 EAT

Hashtags: #SocialGoodTech #WhatAWaste2

Questions to be discussed:

• Why does waste matter for fighting climate change and achieving the Global Goals?
• Waste<=>climate<=>disasters. How are they connected? And how is this affecting the poor and vulnerable in your region?
• Why should we care about plastics in rivers, waterways and oceans? And what can be done to #BeatPlasticPollution?
• What are innovative or effective ways to achieve sustainable solid waste management for inclusive and resilient growth in your city, country or region?
• What is being done at the international level to #LeaveNoOne behind — especially the poor and vulnerable — in the fight against climate change and waste pollution?
• Show us: What do WASTE challenges or solutions look like around you?