International Zero Waste Day 2025: Let’s Work Together for a Sustainable Aruba.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat are joining forces to highlight the importance of improving global waste management and promoting sustainable consumption and production habits to combat the waste pollution crisis. Here in Aruba, the situation is no different. Since the closure of the Parkietenbos landfill last year, work has been ongoing to implement sustainable waste management practices. It includes directing different types of waste to various locations (channels), where they can be recycled, exported, or reused in other product production. 

Humanity generates yearly between 2.1 and 2.3 billion tons of municipal solid waste. Without urgent action, annual waste generation is projected to reach 3.8 billion tons by 2050. Waste pollution threatens human health and costs the global economy billions of dollars annually. It also worsens the current planetary crisis (the triple planetary crisis): climate change, loss of nature (land and biodiversity), and pollution and waste. 

The theme "Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles" emphasizes the urgent need to take action to reduce waste produced by the fashion and textile sector and to promote sustainability and a circular economy. Between 2000 and 2015, clothing production doubled. However, it is estimated that 92 million tons of textile waste are generated worldwide yearly. It is equivalent to a truckload of clothes being burned or sent to a landfill every second. The rapid increase in production and consumption in the textile sector is causing environmental, economic, and social problems, especially in the southern parts of the world. 

How Can Aruba Combat the Waste Problem? 

Although Aruba is a small island, it faces unique challenges in waste management. We must adopt a zero-waste approach to protect our environment and keep our island’s nature healthy and beautiful. 

Here are some suggestions: 

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Promote these 3R principles in all aspects of life.
• Sustainable Fashion: Avoid "fast fashion" and invest in durable, high-quality clothing.
• Support Local Businesses: Give preference to businesses that practice sustainability.
• Recycle Textiles: Establish collection points for clothing and textile recycling.
• Educate and Raise Awareness: Inform the community about the impact of waste and how to live more sustainably.
• Government Policies: Implement laws to regulate textile production and consumption and incentivize businesses that adopt sustainable practices.
• Corporate Responsibility: Encourage companies to embrace Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR holds producers accountable for their product's life cycle. Alternately, make sure that a percentage of their earnings is allocated to environmental corporate responsibility programs.

What Can You Do About Your Textile Consumption? 

• Buy durable and high-quality clothing;
• Reuse and repair damaged clothes: replace a zipper, cut jeans into shorts;
• Buy second-hand clothing;
• Recycle clothing and textiles;
• Avoid purchasing from fast fashion brands like Shein;
• Support sustainable clothing brands.

Call to Action: 

The DNM, and international organizations such as UNEP and UN-Habitat, call on all stakeholders – governments, civil society, businesses, academia, communities, women, and youth – to participate in zero-waste initiatives at international, regional, and local levels.

For more information, visit: https://www.un.org/en/observances/zero-waste-day    

Let’s work together for a clean, green, and sustainable Aruba!