Technical Report: Rethink waste

Mena Benavides, Melisa, Eberle, Caitlyn, Ramesh, Ananya, Ramírez, Andrea and Guerra, Flávia (2025). Technical Report: Rethink waste. Interconnected Disaster Risks 2025. United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security.

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  • Sub-type Research report
    Author Mena Benavides, Melisa
    Eberle, Caitlyn
    Ramesh, Ananya
    Ramírez, Andrea
    Guerra, Flávia
    Title Technical Report: Rethink waste
    Series Title Interconnected Disaster Risks 2025
    Publication Date 2025-04-09
    Place of Publication Bonn
    Publisher United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security
    Pages 35
    Language eng
    Abstract The way humanity perceives and uses our planet’s natural resources is dangerously unsustainable. The world relies almost exclusively on new materials to make the products and infrastructure we use daily, and this is contributing to the interconnected planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. While we are consuming resources faster than they can be replenished, much of what we produce from these resources ultimately ends up as waste. These actions harm the environment and endanger the sustainability of life on Earth. So why does it still happen? By applying the Theory of Deep Change, developed for the 2025 edition of the Interconnected Disaster Risks report, this technical background report discusses the risks perpetuated by linear production and consumption and what a better system could look like. The report discusses the benefits of circular systems, which treasure and preserve resources, making sure things are used as long as possible and later become the input for something else. The report highlights the necessity for deep change that can be achieved by changing societal assumptions and values, called inner levers, combined with structural changes, such as new laws, infrastructure or behaviors, called outer levers. With this, we can guarantee no scarcity, food and water security for all, and a healthier and more equitable life. Pieces of a more harmonious world are already in place, demonstrating that change is possible if only we encourage our societies to act accordingly.
    UNBIS Thesaurus MINING
    POLLUTION
    Keyword Waste
    Resource use
    Plastic waste
    Food waste
    Linear economy
    Care
    Sufficiency
    Stewardship
    Reuse
    Recycle
    Repurpose
    Deep change
    Transformation
    Circular economy
    Copyright Holder United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security
    Copyright Year 2025
    Copyright type Creative commons
    DOI 10.53324/CMWP6625
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    Created: Wed, 09 Apr 2025, 03:29:41 JST by Aarti Basnyat on behalf of UNU EHS