There have been several key global events and summits focused on waste management, sustainability, and environmental protection in recent years. Here are some of the most notable ones

1. UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) 5.2 – 2022

• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Date: February 28 – March 2, 2022
• Key Focus: The UNEA 5.2 meeting was a landmark event where nations discussed critical environmental issues, including waste management and the circular economy. One of the key outcomes was the adoption of a resolution to begin negotiations toward a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution. The summit emphasized reducing plastic waste, promoting recycling, and transitioning to sustainable production and consumption.

2. World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2022

• Location: Kigali, Rwanda
• Date: May 2022
• Key Focus: The WCEF is one of the leading global platforms for advancing circular economy practices. It brought together policymakers, businesses, and thought leaders to discuss innovative ways to manage waste, reduce resource consumption, and promote circularity in the economy. Topics included waste-to-resource technologies, sustainable packaging, and global cooperation for waste management.

3. International Conference on Waste Management and Recycling (ICWMR) 2023

• Location: Virtual and In-person options
• Date: April 2023
• Key Focus: The ICWMR brings together researchers, environmentalists, and industry leaders to discuss waste management strategies, including innovations in recycling, waste-to-energy, and the global impact of improper waste disposal. Topics in 2023 focused on the technological advancements in waste management systems and the integration of sustainable waste practices in urban development.

4. Global Summit on Recycling and Waste Management (2023)

• Location: Dubai, UAE
• Date: September 2023
• Key Focus: The summit featured discussions on how to improve recycling practices and manage waste more efficiently on a global scale. It also emphasized the role of the private sector in waste management and the importance of government policies to encourage recycling and reduce landfills.

5. COP27 (2022) – The UN Climate Change Conference

• Location: Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
• Date: November 2022
• Key Focus: While COP27 primarily focused on climate change, there were several sessions dedicated to discussing waste management, especially in terms of reducing landfill emissions and promoting sustainable waste practices. Circular economy principles were increasingly discussed as a way to combat environmental degradation.

6. World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2023

• Location: Davos, Switzerland
• Date: January 2023
• Key Focus: The WEF 2023 highlighted circular economy innovations, including new waste management solutions. One of the discussions revolved around the private sector’s role in designing waste-free products and solutions, as well as the importance of creating incentives for businesses to adopt sustainable practices that reduce waste.

7. Plastic Waste-Free World Conference 2023

• Location: Frankfurt, Germany
• Date: October 2023
• Key Focus: This conference specifically focused on plastic waste management. Stakeholders from government, business, and academia discussed how to reduce plastic waste, improve recycling systems, and develop alternatives to plastic products. There was a strong focus on technology solutions such as chemical recycling and the development of biodegradable materials.

8. The Global Partnership on Waste Management (GPWM) 2023 Summit

• Location: Mexico City, Mexico
• Date: November 2023
• Key Focus: This summit brought together international leaders to discuss how to manage municipal solid waste more effectively, reduce waste generation, and implement better waste diversion strategies. The summit also focused on the role of the informal waste sector and how to formalize waste management in cities, particularly in developing countries.

9. Waste Expo 2024

• Location: Las Vegas, USA
• Date: May 2024
• Key Focus: Waste Expo is one of the largest gatherings of waste management professionals globally. The event showcases new technologies, innovations in recycling, and ways to manage waste more efficiently. Topics of discussion will likely include the role of automation and AI in waste sorting, advancements in waste-to-energy solutions, and the future of landfill diversion.

10. Global Recycling Day 2024

• Date: March 18, 2024 (Annually)
• Key Focus: Global Recycling Day is observed every year to highlight the importance of recycling in reducing global waste. In 2024, the event will focus on the role of recycling in achieving circular economy goals and discuss ways to reduce waste through sustainable practices. It brings together governmental organizations, NGOs, and industries from around the world to raise awareness about the importance of waste reduction.

11. European Waste Management Congress & Expo 2024

• Location: Vienna, Austria
• Date: March 2024
• Key Focus: This conference focuses on various aspects of waste management, including the latest technologies, recycling practices, and strategies to reduce waste. The 2024 edition will address the European Union’s waste legislation, circular economy policies, and the progress of sustainable waste management practices across Europe.

12. International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) World Congress 2023

• Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Date: November 2023
• Key Focus: The ISWA World Congress brings together global experts in waste management to share knowledge and innovations. The 2023 Congress focused on waste management solutions for both developed and developing countries, with special attention to the challenges faced by cities in managing municipal solid waste. A significant focus was placed on reducing plastic waste and adopting sustainable practices for waste management.

13. The Circular Economy Hotspot 2023

• Location: South Korea
• Date: September 2023
• Key Focus: The Circular Economy Hotspot is a series of events organized in different regions to showcase circular economy innovations and the role of waste management in this model. The South Korean hotspot focused on technological advances in waste recycling, including digital solutions for waste management and the integration of circular practices in everyday consumer products.

14. International Conference on Waste, Recycling and Circular Economy 2023

• Location: Lisbon, Portugal
• Date: September 2023
• Key Focus: The event brought together experts and policymakers to discuss how to implement a circular economy, emphasizing waste recycling, green innovation, and sustainable waste solutions. Topics included composting, reducing plastic pollution, and the global shift toward zero-waste practices.

15. The Global Clean Energy and Waste Management Expo 2023

• Location: Tokyo, Japan
• Date: June 2023
• Key Focus: This event focused on the intersection of clean energy and waste management, highlighting technologies that reduce environmental impact through energy recovery from waste. Topics included waste-to-energy technologies, reducing landfill usage, and sustainable energy solutions within the waste management industry.

16. The World Waste to Energy and Resources Summit (WTER) 2023

• Location: London, UK
• Date: June 2023
• Key Focus: The WTER Summit focuses on transforming waste into energy and valuable resources, emphasizing the importance of efficient waste-to-energy technologies. It brought together stakeholders from the energy, waste, and environmental sectors to explore the potential for turning waste into renewable energy while reducing the environmental impact.

17. Asia Waste & Recycling Expo 2023

• Location: Bangkok, Thailand
• Date: September 2023
• Key Focus: This expo provided a platform for international stakeholders in the waste management and recycling industries. It explored solutions for reducing waste generation, enhancing waste processing technologies, and improving waste disposal systems in Asia, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas.

18. Zero Waste International Alliance Conference 2023

• Location: Online and Hybrid
• Date: September 2023
• Key Focus: The Zero Waste International Alliance conference focuses on global strategies for eliminating waste by redesigning production and consumption systems. It brings together cities, businesses, and environmental organizations to share best practices and strategies to create waste-free communities.

19. Circularity 2023

• Location: Minneapolis, USA
• Date: June 2023
• Key Focus: Circularity is a major conference centered around advancing the circular economy. The 2023 edition covered topics such as waste reduction, sustainable product design, circular supply chains, and innovations in recycling processes. The event connected sustainability leaders from diverse sectors to explore how to eliminate waste through circularity.

20. International Symposium on Waste Management & Recycling Technologies 2023

• Location: Virtual
• Date: July 2023
• Key Focus: The virtual symposium focused on technological innovations in waste management, such as AI-based sorting technologies, advanced recycling methods, and strategies for reducing hazardous waste. It also addressed global challenges in waste management and ways to scale solutions to meet the demands of growing urban populations.