International Association for Waste and Development

Connecting waste-management expertise with sustainable international development

The International Association for Waste and Development is an emerging initiative for people and organisations working in:

Waste management and the circular economy
Sustainable development and public health
Climate resilience and environmental protection
Education, capacity building and inclusive economic development

The proposed Association would foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, coordination and informed advocacy, especially in lower- and middle-income countries, islands and remote communities.

Why the Association Is Being Developed

Waste management is closely linked to public health, environmental protection, climate change, livelihoods and economic development.

Yet the sector can be fragmented. Practitioners, researchers, governments, businesses, development organisations and communities may face similar challenges without shared knowledge, suitable partners or effective collaboration.

The proposed Association would help connect these groups.

Potential Areas of Activity

Subject to consultation and an appropriate structure, activities could include:

International knowledge exchange and networking
Education, training, mentoring and professional development
Research, publications and technical working groups
Conferences, webinars and discussions
Collaborative projects, tools and case studies
Support for locally led programmes
Advocacy for greater recognition of waste management in international development

Guiding Principles

The initiative is intended to be:

International, inclusive and collaborative
Practical and solutions-focused
Respectful of local knowledge
Professionally credible
Environmentally and socially responsible
Focused on lasting local capacity

Current Status

The International Association for Waste and Development is at an early stage.

Its name, legal structure, governance, membership, programme and funding model are not yet confirmed.

This information is exploratory, not a formal membership offer or commitment to proceed in its current form.

Expression of Interest

The initiative welcomes interest from:

Waste-management practitioners and community organisations
Governments, public agencies and development organisations
Academics, researchers, universities and training providers
Businesses, consultancies, NGOs and charities
Professional institutions, potential partners and funders

Anyone interested in shaping the Association, contributing expertise or exploring collaboration is invited to contact Simon Penney.

Expressions of interest are exploratory and create no financial, contractual or membership obligation.