The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) works closely with governments, international organizations, industry, and civil society organizations around the world to develop mainstream solutions for the sound management of chemicals and waste. In doing so, we and our partners are focused on achieving the goal of the World Summit on Sustainable Development: to ensure that chemicals are used and produced in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment.

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) is located in Osaka, Japan. IETC was established in 1992, as a follow-up to Decision 16/34 of the UN Environment Governing Council.

IETC works with developing countries to implement sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, with focus on holistic waste management.

To realize this vision, we provide technical and advisory support to national and local governments to enhance their use of environmentally sound strategies and approaches. We also implement in-country demonstration projects using innovative waste prevention and management methods and technologies to improve human well-being, reduce the impact of climate change, increase resilience and create jobs. We work with governments as well as academia, civil society and the private sector. We provide learning opportunities around the world and organize public outreach activities, expert groups and policy dialogues.

Working with a wide range of partners and in line with relevant multilateral environmental agreements, our mission is to serve as a global centre of excellence on environmentally sound technologies with focus on holistic waste management.

Since 2020, IETC has been working on a new initiative, “UNEP Sustainability Action” which advocates an integrated approach to sustainability with a focus on the environment, “Eco-friendly Lifestyle to Save Our Planet”.

All the information is available online at https://www.unenvironment.org/ietc/.

Waste has become a ubiquitous sight in our environment. PET bottles wash up on shores of the most distant islands, plastic has been found in the deepest trenches of　our oceans and grocery bags litter the slopes of the tallest mountains. People routinely　burn electronics to extract precious metals,　without awareness of the impact it has on their health or the environment. Given the growing amount, complexity and visibility of waste, proper waste management is more crucial than ever. Individuals, cities and nations all need to become more proactive and pursue a more holistic approach to waste. Such an approach begins with reduction, followed by reuse, and then recycling.

Even with these efforts, residual waste will need to be managed using state of the art technologies that ensure this residual waste is handled in an environmentally sound manner. The work carried out by the UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre in Osaka, with support and cooperation of its partners, is therefore more relevant than ever. IETC, together with the rest of UNEP, is working to change attitudes towards waste. We must all start treating it as the valuable resource it is.