Therefore, Knowledge & Good Practices Sharing is one of the 4 key action areas of Waste Wise Cities – a programme launched in 2018 by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), partner of UNESCO’s Plastic Initiative. You were able to read about another of its other action areas, Advocacy & Education, already in April in this Blog. Waste Wise Cities is a call to action to tackle the current global waste management crisis – every city can improve their waste management system, and while every city has different tasks ahead, we can learn from each other about what works and what is not. Knowledge exchange is therefore very important to master the hindrances ahead, while we at the same time always need to adapt the knowledge we acquire to our local situation.

To Share Knowledge & Good Practices, Waste Wise Cities is collecting and disseminating good practices, stories and case studies, developing online courses and toolkits, organizing webinars and in the future a discussion forum, and similar activities. You can have a glimpse at this work through the Waste Wise Cities newsletter, which is published every two months and includes articles from its member cities and affiliates, as well as updates on Waste Wise Cities activities. Recent newsletters have focused on the topics “Women in Waste”, “Dumpsites & Landfills” and “SDG indicator 11.6.1.”. You can have a look at the newsletters at the Waste Wise Cities Website or join the programme to regularly receive the newsletter as well as other information via e-mail. While cities and local governments can become members by submitting a letter of intent, committing to Waste Wise Cities’ 12 principles of sustainable waste management, private sector companies, not-for profit organizations, community-based organizations, research institute, etc. can become Waste Wise Cities Affiliates. Just contact us for more information at WasteWiseCities@un.org.