The Zero Waste Knowledge Hub is hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implemented in collaboration with Avfall Sverige and other local and international partners.
We are a team of development professionals and technical specialists working toward one shared goal: helping cities and countries shift to zero waste.
Drawing on decades of experience in sustainable development, environmental protection, and innovative waste management, we provide knowledge and solutions to support local action.
Together, we connect expertise, experience, and innovation to support cities and equip decision-makers and communities with the tools, guidance, and networks they need to build circular and sustainable waste systems.
United Nations Development Programme
UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories to improve lives, reduce poverty and inequality, and protect the planet through sustainable development.
UNDP supports governments to design and implement policies, strengthen institutions and governance, build resilience to crises, and mobilize finance and partnerships that accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
In the area of waste and resource management, UNDP integrates circular economy principles and zero-waste approaches into its development work.
In waste and resource management, UNDP integrates circular economy and zero-waste approaches into its development work. This includes helping countries move away from linear “take-make-dispose” models toward systems that reduce pollution, keep materials in use longer, regenerate natural systems, and create economic opportunities.
UNDP supports countries to design policy frameworks, strengthen technical capacity, and improve circular value chains, connecting environmental protection with broader development goals such as job creation, public health, and climate action.
Avfall Sverige
Avfall Sverige is the Swedish stakeholder and trade association in the field of waste management and recycling. It represents all Swedish municipalities and municipal enterprises across Sweden that collect, treat and recycle waste. The association also holds some 150 private enterprises, as associated members.
Avfall Sverige helps its members and partners by sharing knowledge, developing guidance, delivering training, and running collaborative projects that improve municipal waste systems.
Its work promotes waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and the practical integration of circular economy principles into local governance and operations. Its work has contributed to strong recycling systems in Sweden and to knowledge‑sharing with cities and organizations elsewhere.
Working together
UNDP and Avfall Sverige work together to support cities and countries as they transition toward zero waste and circular resource systems. This collaboration provides advisory support, policy guidance, capacity building, and knowledge exchange to help communities strengthen waste systems and embed circular approaches.
