The Sustainable Development Goals Policy Briefshighlight a hotspot of environmental change. The evidence provided builds on scientific data and information hosted on the online platform Environment Live and is complemented by stories from around the world. Readers are invited to explore the numerous clickable links throughout the Brief.Waste is generated at a massive and growing rate but is not always managed appropriately, leading to greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and health hazards. With ongoing population growth and rapid urbanization, the optimization of waste systems is critical. Fortunately, this presents a tremendous opportunity to recover valuable resources and create employment, while mitigating these negative impacts.
United Nations Environment Programme
