Organizing on Waste
people-powered organics waste management
We are a global network of 26 organizations across 18 countries, grounded in environmental justice, informal worker inclusion, and community power.
The GLOW Network is made up of and works with communities and workers that are advancing real and practical solutions to transform waste systems. We expand localized, cost-efficient zero waste approaches and create pathways for replication around the world. Intertwined with our impact, we create cross-regional support and solidarity through shared resources, embodied values, and aligned vision.
We envision a just and regenerative world where waste is no longer created, communities are empowered, and zero waste systems drive climate action and economic resilience.
Zero Waste is a people-powered climate solution that tackles methane emissions at their source—by transforming how we manage organic waste. In a world where the material economy drives 70% of global emissions, centering zero waste solutions in waste management means prioritizing justice, livelihood, and community resilience. These regenerative systems not only reduce methane but also create dignified jobs, maintain cost-efficient solutions, and support fairer, more inclusive cities.
The power of the GLOW Network is collective
With a shared vision of linking global and local movements for climate justice, the GLOW Network fosters collaboration, systems thinking, and bottom-up leadership. We create resilient, sustainable cities and economies through shared learning and collective action.
"There’s a need to bring it to the people and make an emphasis on people, [ensuring] we transition all together in inclusion and justice. Climate change is about people. "
Mariel Vilella, GAIA
Together, we have reached numerous wins in policy and systems-change around the world.
People served by our people-powered zero waste systems, mainstreaming people-powered zero waste systems as a climate solution.
Policies incorporating environmental justice
Our partners have driven 45 policy wins—from local ordinances formalizing waste‑picker inclusion and source‑separation, to national laws mandating MRFs, composting, and zero‑waste targets, and international agreements embedding environmental justice, just transition, and waste‑prevention. All this has catalyzed a global shift towards circular, inclusive, methane-reducing waste systems.
Sites reached
Since 2022, we have replicated and expanded the implementation of people-centered zero waste solutions, reaching 166 sites—including neighborhoods, markets, and cities—that are now advancing methane reduction efforts in the waste sector.
"Zero waste work is beyond materials, beyond waste. Zero waste is about the community, people’s stories, policies, how we sustain and create change."
Rap Villavicencio, Mother Earth Foundation