Our alignment with the UNSDG
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) are a comprehensive set of 17 goals that act as a call to action to promote prosperity while protecting people and the planet. Of these goals, Trash Hero World (THW) is aligned and committed to the following:
Goal 2: Zero hunger
Target:
2.4 By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
THW actively promotes organic waste separation and composting (a simple and low-cost way to restore soil health), local organic farming and the removal of plastic and petrochemicals from agriculture.
Goal 3: Good health & well-being
Target:
3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination
THW is a member of the IPEN and helps to raise awareness about the toxicity of plastic throughout its lifecycle, in particular bringing the knowledge to communities in Asia, in local languages.
Goal 4: Quality education
Target:
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
THW’s action & awareness programme, Trash Hero Communities programme and kids programme align with this target
Goal 5: Gender equality
Target:
5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision making in political, economic and public life.
As an organisation, THW employs a majority of women; and female volunteers make up just under half of our chapter leaders. We are committed to equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of the organisation.
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
Target:
6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
THW’s network of free drinking water refill points and safe, stainless steel reusable water bottles provided at cost price are practical measures we have implemented to enable the achievement of these goals. We also improve water quality both directly by reducing pollution and indirectly by campaigning against illegal dumping and pollution of waterways.
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Target:
8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
THW works predominantly with coastal communities where our bottle programme and action & awareness programme are laying the foundations for sustainable tourism. In addition we help the local economy to thrive as our volunteers often clean up beaches and other areas frequented by tourists.
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Target:
11.6 By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
THW’s entire mission aligns with this target, with particular reference to waste management and the generation of waste. The Trash Hero Communities programme in particular addresses issues of waste management at the local level.
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
Targets:
12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
12.4 By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
12.6 Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
12.8 By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
THW’s entire mission aligns with targets 12.2, 12.5 and 12.8; our waste and brand audit activities align with 12.6
Goal 13: Climate action
Target:
13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
The climate crisis is inextricably linked to plastic production. THW works to reduce plastic production and support alternative delivery systems for basic goods. Sustained use of our Trash Hero bottle reduces CO2E emissions by 95% compared to drinking the same water in single-use plastic bottles.
Goal 14: Life below water
Target:
14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
All THW programmes align with this target.
Goal 15: Life on land
Target:
15.3 By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
15.5 Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
THW actively promotes organic waste separation and composting, which combat desertification by reducing climate emissions from landfills, as well as preserving and restoring soil health. Our cleanup interventions and advocacy work to combat plastic pollution both aim to halt biodiversity loss and conserve natural habitats.
Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Target:
16.8 Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.
THW uses its status as a UNEP-accredited observer to bring the voices of communities in less developed countries to international fora, as well as supporting the attendance of delegates from these countries.