ISWA International Solid Waste Association

Startpagina
Nederland
Rotterdam
ISWA International Solid Waste Association

A global, non-profit organisation working in the public interest to promote and develop sustainable w

ISWA – the International Solid Waste Association – is a global, independent and non-profit making association, working in the public interest to promote and develop sustainable waste and resource management and the transition to a Circular Economy. ISWA membership is open to individuals and organisations from the scientific community, public institutions and public and private companies from all o

ver the world working in the field or interested in waste management. As the only worldwide waste association with members in members in 110 countries, ISWA allows you to network with professionals, companies and institutional representatives on a global scale. ISWA’s unique mix of members spans the whole waste sector for the promotion and development of sustainable waste management across the world.

11/06/2026

🌍♻️ How can the next generation of researchers help shape a more circular future?

Join the ISWA Young Professionals Group (YPG) UK & Ireland Chapter for their first-ever webinar, showcasing innovative research from emerging academics tackling some of the biggest challenges in sustainable waste management and resource recovery.

📅 Wednesday 8 July 2026
🕧 01:30 PM (CEST)

This international webinar will feature seven PhD researchers and early-career academics presenting cutting-edge work on:

🔹 Sustainable design and circular economy frameworks
🔹 Low-carbon construction materials
🔹 Resource recovery and bio-based solutions
🔹 E-waste circularity and rare earth element recycling
🔹 Carbon storage and biomass valorisation
🔹 Transboundary waste policy and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

The event also marks an exciting milestone for the ISWA YPG UK & Ireland Chapter, established in collaboration with the CIWM Early Careers Team to connect and support early-career professionals across the waste and resource management sector.

🎟️ Register here: https://lnkd.in/efqbukhp

Whether you're a student, researcher, waste professional, policymaker, or simply interested in the future of the circular economy, we'd love to have you join us.

10/06/2026

A sneak peek behind the scenes: (re)discover the ISWA Working Groups!

"The diversity of our working group, from waste-to-energy plant owners, operators, technology providers, academia, to consultants, is a real benefit for the group and allows us to have valuable discussions where everyone can contribute." - Bettina Kamuk

ISWA’s Scientific and Technical Committee was asked what they think is the essence of our organisation, highlighting both the people who make ISWA what it is and what they have been up to. Each person, in addition to being a specialist in their own field, brings a unique perspective to the work that they do with and for ISWA.

This week, we’re featuring Bettina Kamuk (Ramboll), the former Chair of the STC and current Chair of the Working Group on Energy Recovery, focusing on technical knowledge exchange and new developments within the waste-to-energy business.

With 15 years of active contribution to ISWA, the collective most recently published a White Book on Energy-from-Waste, the Waste Atlas, together with the Working Group on Climate Change and Waste Management. This year, one of their task forces is focusing on PFAS in incoming waste and the use of high temperatures to effectively destroy them.

Follow along as we highlight more interviews in the coming weeks. To find out more about the endeavours of the Working Group on Energy Recovery and their White Book and Waste Atlas, you can head to https://www.iswa.org/energy-recovery/

09/06/2026

🌍 23 mentorships. 23 collaborations. 23 new perspectives for the waste management sector.

Since 2015, the ISWA YPG Mentorship Programme has connected young professionals with senior experts from across the global waste and resource management community. Through tailored mentor-mentee exchanges, participants gain technical insights, career guidance, and valuable international connections.

The 2025 edition brought together over 20 mentor-mentee pairings from around the world, each wrapping up with a collaborative blogpost that will be featured across ISWA channels in the coming weeks.

Today, we highlight a production authored by Anusree Nalladiyil, mentored by Zoe Lenkiewicz. The piece explores the often-overlooked trade-offs between zero-waste and carbon neutrality strategies, arguing that cities must adopt integrated, low-carbon circular approaches that balance material recovery with genuine climate impact. Read the full post https://www.iswa.org/blog/zero-waste-vs-carbon-neutrality-the-trade-offs-cities-prefer-not-to-measure/?v=796834e7a283

Applications for the 2026-2027 edition of the YPG Mentorship Programme will open soon. Stay tuned for your chance to join the next cohort of emerging professionals shaping the future of waste management.

05/06/2026

Today is World Environment Day!

This day represents everything that CIWM, ISWA, and the World Congress stand for - a global commitment to protecting our ecosystems, health, environments, and economies for a sustainable future.

To celebrate this shared focus and the power of cross-border collaboration, we are offering an exclusive 20% off our standard-rate passes today only.

The 2026 ISWA World Congress in London is where these environmental ambitions transform into practical action.

Hosted by CIWM in partnership with the International Solid Waste Association this November, this landmark gathering unites 1,200+ professionals from 50+ countries to share knowledge, drive circular innovation, and create solutions that tackle global waste challenges.

Join the movement and secure your 20% saving today with code WED20: https://ow.ly/pLkE50Z7sgL

04/06/2026

“Plastic pollution is driven by gaps in waste management systems, where leakage from open dumps into rivers and the marine environment highlights the urgent need for infrastructure, policy alignment, and circular solutions.” — Biorenova

As part of the ongoing discussion on plastic waste management, the International Solid Waste Association invited its national members and ambassadors to share insights from their respective countries, highlighting key challenges, solutions, and opportunities.

🇬🇹 ISWA’s Ambassador for Guatemala provided the testimony below.

Plastic pollution in Guatemala is closely linked to open dumping, uncontrolled disposal, and waste burning, with thousands of informal dumpsites acting as major leakage points into rivers and water bodies. This is compounded by low recycling rates (5–9%), limited waste management infrastructure, and weak market demand for recycled plastics.

A significant share of plastic pollution is transported through river systems such as the Motagua River, which carries large volumes of waste into the Caribbean Sea, affecting coastal ecosystems and the Mesoamerican Reef.

Key insights highlight the challenge:
💠Over 400,000 tonnes of plastic produced annually, with minimal recycling
💠The Motagua River contributes over 20,000 tonnes of plastic leakage to the ocean, representing around 2% of global riverine emissions
💠Recycled plastics can be 25–60% more expensive than virgin materials, limiting market uptake

Guatemala has launched initiatives such as the National Action Platform for Plastics and major infrastructure investments supported by the Inter-American Development Bank. Projects including river interceptors have already diverted over 23,000 tonnes of waste for collection and recovery.

To break the plastic pollution cycle, Guatemala’s experience highlights the need for:
• Transition from open dumpsites to controlled waste management systems
• Expansion of waste collection, sorting, and treatment infrastructure nationwide
• Stronger policy alignment and regulatory frameworks
• Increased use of recycled plastics and market incentives

Addressing plastic pollution requires eliminating leakage from dumpsites through systemic improvements in waste management, supported by infrastructure investment, policy action, and circular economy solutions.

03/06/2026

A sneak peek behind the scenes: (re)discover the ISWA Working Groups!

"Being part of our working group is being part of a great global network, which is very rewarding and also a lot of fun!" - Anna-Carin Gripwall

When the ISWA Scientific and Technical Committee gathered in Rotterdam earlier this year, we took the opportunity to ask them what they think is the essence of our organisation, highlighting both the people that make ISWA what it is, and what they have been up to.

In these short interviews, hear from the experts who volunteer their time and knowledge to our mission. Each pillar, in addition to being a specialist in their own field, brings a unique perspective to the work that they do with and for ISWA.

This week, we’re featuring Anna-Carin Gripwall (Afvall Sverige), the Vice Chair of the Working Group Communication and Social Issues.

The collective helps strengthen ISWA's global visibility, increase awareness and knowledge on waste management and sustainability.

During the interview, she invites all experts connected to communication, whether it be digital communication, storytelling, AI, policy making, to join the working group.

Follow along as we highlight more interviews in the coming weeks. To find out more about the endeavours of the Working Group on Communication and Social Issues, you can head to https://www.iswa.org/communication-and-social-issues

28/05/2026

A sneak peek behind the scenes: (re)discover the ISWA Working Groups!

"If you were to look at the whole chain of household collections or even waste collections across the board, we're interested in members from every element of that." - Ian Dudding

When the ISWA Scientific and Technical Committee gathered in Rotterdam earlier this year, we took the opportunity to ask them what they think is the essence of our organisation, highlighting both the people that make ISWA what it is, and what they have been up to.

In these short interviews, hear from the experts who volunteer their time and knowledge to our mission. Each pillar, in addition to being a specialist in their own field, brings a unique perspective to the work that they do with and for ISWA.

This week, we’re featuring Ian Dudding (Dover District Council), the Chair of the ISWA Working Group on Collection and Transportation Technologies.

The working group consists of a diverse, global membership from multiple sectors, which includes local service operators, technology providers, and NGOs. Although members have varied focus areas, this diversity encourages productive exchanges across sectors.

Follow along as we highlight more interviews in the coming weeks. To find out more about the endeavours of the Working Group on Collection and Transportation Technology, you can head to https://www.iswa.org/collection-and-transportation-technology/

22/05/2026

A sneak peek behind the scenes: (re)discover the ISWA Working Groups!

"Global challenges can be addressed by acting locally, and if local initiatives work, we want to scale them up and to replicate proven good practices." - Marco Ricci

When the ISWA Scientific and Technical Committee gathered in Rotterdam earlier this year, we took the opportunity to ask them what they think is the essence of our organisation, highlighting both the people that make ISWA what it is, and what they have been up to.

In these short interviews, hear from the experts who volunteer their time and knowledge to our mission. Each pillar, in addition to being a specialist in their own field, brings a unique perspective to the work that they do with and for ISWA.

This week, we’re featuring Marco Ricci Juergensen (CIC Italian Composting and Biogas Consortium), the Vice Chair of the ISWA Working Group on Biological Treatment of Waste, which focuses on the organic fraction of municipal solid waste.

With 15 years of active contribution to ISWA, this year, the group focuses on small-scale solution initiatives for organic waste recycling.

During the interview, he also highlights the key role of active members in producing reports and technical documents, inviting all new experts in the field to join the working group.

Follow along as we highlight more interviews in the coming weeks. To find out more about the endeavours of the Working Group on Biological Treatment of Waste, you can head to https://www.iswa.org/biological-treatment-of-waste

21/05/2026

“Where overall plastic pollution appears limited, littering and microplastics show that prevention must extend beyond waste management systems.” - CIWM

As part of the ongoing discussion on plastic waste management, the International Solid Waste Association invited its national members to share insights from their respective countries, highlighting key challenges, solutions, and opportunities.

🇬🇧 ISWA’s National Member for the United Kingdom provided the testimony below.

Compared with many countries, the UK experiences relatively low levels of visible plastic pollution, but persistent challenges remain. Plastic pollution is largely driven by littering in urban areas, rivers, and coastal environments, with plastics transported through river systems into the marine environment.

Over time, much of this material fragments into microplastics, creating widespread but less visible contamination. Evidence shows microplastics in rivers, coastal waters, soils, compost, and wastewater treatment outputs, highlighting pathways beyond traditional waste systems.

The UK has implemented several policy measures, including the plastic carrier bag charge, Single-Use Plastics bans, and the Plastic Packaging Tax, which incentivises recycled content in packaging. These measures have delivered results: single-use plastic bag consumption fell by around 98%, and recycled content in some products has increased.

💡 To break the plastic pollution cycle, the UK’s experience highlights the need for:
💠Stronger prevention of litter entering rivers and marine environments
💠Action on diffuse sources of microplastics, including textiles and wastewater
💠Continued use of economic instruments to drive behaviour change
💠Cross-sector innovation, such as microplastic filters in washing machines

The UK’s experience shows that while economic incentives are effective, addressing plastic pollution, especially microplastics, requires upstream prevention, product design changes, and regulatory action beyond traditional waste systems.

These challenges and solutions will also be explored at the ISWA World Congress 2026 in London, hosted by CIWM, bringing together global experts to advance practical solutions for plastic waste management.

18/05/2026

Last call! Submit your entry to the 2026 ISWA Awards!

The deadline to submit an entry to the Communication, Publication and/or Video Award is 𝟮𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝟭𝟭:𝟱𝟵 𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗧

Each year, ISWA honours excellent efforts and creative ideas that increase public awareness and promote sustainable waste management. This year's theme is "Create Legacy". Prizes for winners include free full passes to the ISWA World Congress 2026 and ISWA membership! Head to www.iswa.org/iswa-awards to submit your entry to one (or all!) of the three categories.

Adres

Stationsplein 45 A4. 004
Rotterdam
3013AK

Telefoon

+31108083990

Website

http://www.iswa.org/

Meldingen

Wees de eerste die het weet en laat ons u een e-mail sturen wanneer ISWA International Solid Waste Association nieuws en promoties plaatst. Uw e-mailadres wordt niet voor andere doeleinden gebruikt en u kunt zich op elk gewenst moment afmelden.