Welcome to ISWA 2021!

Dear Friends,

On behalf of ISWA, I am delighted to welcome you to the ISWA 2021 World Congress: “From waste management to a circular economy – the road ahead”, that will be virtual from Athens.

According to the United Nations, this is the Decade of Action to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and it is also the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Those themes are directly linked to ISWA’s activities and will be part of the program that is being carefully prepared, under the motto: There is no planet B.

As I’ve mentioned last year during ISWA’s 50th Birthday party: There’s no coming back, there isn’t a “new normal”. There is only a NEW future, to be created by us. The post-Covid era is green and sustainable, where adequate waste management will play a central role to ensure an effective shift from the current linear take-make-disposal system towards a circular one.

We were so saddened when we had to cancel the ISWA World Congress 2020, but public health must come first. This year, together with HSWMA (our National Member in Greece), we have created a hybrid ISWA World Congress which will ensure that people from all around the world can meet safely online.

It will be an opportunity to network, learn and grow. There is always a scientific solution and best practices to help us overcome obstacles and face big challenges. It will be a Congress to celebrate Life!

I look forward to seeing you in October virtually. Get ready for an exceptional event.

President of ISWA,
Carlos RV Silva Filho

Dear Colleagues,

In the recent years, the ISWA World Congress has been recognized as the most impactful international congress in the field of waste management. We are very proud that this year it will be held virtual from Athens, Greece, 4-7 October 2021.

The congress is being hosted for the first time by the Hellenic Solid Waste Management Association – HSWMA, in Greece, and organized in cooperation with the International Solid Waste Association – ISWA. The congress is entitled:

“From waste management to circular economy – The road ahead”

The ISWA World Congress offers the perfect setting for networking between experts and key stakeholders from across the world. Circular economy is a central pillar of new policies interconnected also with climate change mitigation policies.

New waves of legislation and regulations are expected to stimulate serious changes within the coming years regarding the transition from linear economy and waste management to a circular economy at a global level promoting zero waste production and resource efficiency as well as climate change mitigation.

The congress will focus on this transition and the changes required, overcoming obstacles, on our daily practices, infrastructure in recycling and recovery, regulatory aspects, funding mechanisms, society acceptance, as well as to the design of our cities.

We are honored to invite you and participate actively in this outstanding international event.

President of HSWMA,
Alexandros Katsiamboulas

HSWMA is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, founded in 2000 in Greece and today has more than 550 members from Academia, Central & Local Authorities, Consulting, Construction and Industrial sector as well as Environmental NGOs covering up the wide range of Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy.

Under the Auspices