The global waste crisis continues to escalate, placing disproportionate burdens on vulnerable communities around the world—including infants, children, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, informal workers, and displaced populations. This reality forms the foundation of the Mottainai Youth Declaration on Zero Waste and Circularity, developed by the Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG) to UNEP, representing voices of young people from all regions of the world Mottainai Youth Declaration on ….

Rooted in the Japanese principle Mottainai, which expresses regret over wastefulness, the declaration outlines bold youth commitments and strong calls to action aimed at accelerating the global transition to just and circular waste systems.

A Youth-Led Vision for a Zero Waste Future

The declaration is the outcome of extensive global youth consultations and reflections captured during Youth Day at the UNEP IETC Global Dialogue on Circular Economy Model of Waste Management, held on 19 February 2025 in Osaka, Japan Mottainai Youth Declaration on ….

It emphasizes that although progress has been made in waste policies and legislation, serious gaps remain—especially in awareness, implementation, financing, and cross-sectoral integration. Gender equality is highlighted as a critical component of this transition, noting that women and girls in the informal waste sector often face unsafe conditions, economic disparities, and discrimination Mottainai Youth Declaration on ….

Youth Commitments to Zero Waste Values

Young people around the world have expressed clear commitments across four major pillars:

1. Lifestyle: Responsible Consumption and Production

Youth pledge to:

Understand local waste systems, including the role of informal workers.
Adopt responsible consumption practices that minimize single-use items.
Promote lifecycle thinking in production and consumption.
Raise awareness through digital platforms, clean-up drives, and community engagement Mottainai Youth Declaration on ….

2. Waste Justice: Systems and Services

Young people commit to:

Advocate against injustices in waste management, including displacement and criminalization of environmental defenders.
Build capacity, utilize technology, and share information to address pollution.
Support informal waste workers through fair compensation, dignity, and recognition Mottainai Youth Declaration on ….

3. Championing Circularity in Policies and Programs

Youth are prepared to:

Foster youth-led innovations in waste management.
Engage in policy advocacy to push governments toward circularity.
Translate scientific evidence into accessible resources for communities.
Build global alliances based on shared knowledge and scientific rationale Mottainai Youth Declaration on ….

4. Local and Global Collaboration

Young people commit to:

Shape zero waste policies within institutions and government systems.
Share best practices across borders.
Use International Zero Waste Day (March 30) to drive awareness campaigns.
Collaborate on policy input and research, ensuring youth perspectives are included in decision-making platforms Mottainai Youth Declaration on ….

Calls to Action: What Youth Expect from Governments, Businesses & Society

The declaration outlines urgent demands directed at governments, international organizations, private sector actors, and communities:

Embed intergenerational equity in all circular economy and waste management policies.
Allocate decision-making space for youth at all governance levels.
Strengthen legislation to reduce single-use waste, promote green jobs, protect communities, and uphold justice.
Implement robust monitoring systems to ensure transparency and accountability.
Protect marginalized communities—including children, women, elderly people, migrants, and informal workers—from pollution impacts.
Promote proper waste sorting to enable recycling and reuse.
Eliminate illegal child labor and gender-based violence in the waste sector.
Integrate public health concerns into waste management policy.
Recognize and protect informal waste workers, including guaranteeing fair wages and safeguarding women in the sector.
Include youth in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy monitoring and evaluation.
Create inclusive public–private partnerships that support youth-led green initiatives.
Ensure transparent consumer information on product lifecycles.
Integrate youth contributions into the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste Mottainai Youth Declaration on ….

Conclusion

The Mottainai Youth Declaration is a powerful statement of unity, urgency, and determination. It underscores that waste is not merely an environmental issue—but a social justice, public health, economic, and governance challenge that demands bold and inclusive action.

Youth are ready to lead. What remains is for institutions, governments, and private sector actors to recognize them as essential partners in building a regenerative, circular, and zero-waste world.