Post by Yunus Environment Hub

𝐆𝐋𝐎𝐁𝐀𝐋 𝐙𝐄𝐑𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐔𝐌 2026| 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 The Zero Waste Forum 2026 in Istanbul brought together an impressive diversity of 5000 stakeholders from 183 countries working towards the common goal of zero waste. 💡 For Yunus Environment Hub, one of the most valuable parts of the forum was seeing how strongly zero waste is now being discussed 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞, but as a broader climate action, resource, and systems-change agenda. At the same time, the forum was a powerful reminder that global conversations only become meaningful when they are connected to practical solutions on the ground. This is why we were particularly proud that Yunus Environment Hub brought a delegation of diverse social businesses from our network in Africa and Asia, including eBusaka, AppCyclers, DercolBags Packaging, Safi Organics Ltd., GIVO Africa, Green Worms - Waste Management & Recycling, and Padmad Kenya. 🍃Their work shows what socially-inclusive circular and zero waste solutions can look like in practice: digital traceability systems, inclusive waste collection models, reusable packaging, organic waste conversion, textile recycling, e-waste repair & recycling innovation, and community-based circular economy approaches. Across the forum, our team also contributed to several key sessions. Christina Jäger joined the panel “Governing Zero Waste: From Political Commitment to Climate Delivery,” where she highlighted the role of social business in translating ambition into implementation and showcased practical examples from our network. She also moderated the Action Lab on Just Transition and waste pickers during the Cities Day with Mayor side event hosted by UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), ICLEI and Zero Waste Foundation. Kiara Winona Sweeney served as a jury member for the Demo Day Startups session, engaging with entrepreneurs working on circular materials, reuse systems, recycling, waste prevention, regenerative agriculture, and resource efficiency. 💡 Our main takeaway from Istanbul is clear: zero waste must be understood as part of the climate action agenda. The gap must be bridged by measuring metrics related to waste reduction, material circularity and emission reductions in the same frameworks and integrated policy design where zero waste strategies are explicitly recognized as climate strategies. The most powerful solutions are those that reduce waste while creating livelihoods, strengthening local value chains, supporting vulnerable communities, and making circularity accessible and economically viable. Thank you to the Zero Waste Foundation for convening this platform, and to all partners, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders we had the opportunity to meet in Istanbul. #ZeroWasteForum #ZeroWaste #SocialBusiness #3Zeros #CircularEconomy