The GLOW Network Global and Local Organizing on Waste
The Global and Local Organizing on Waste (GLOW) Network, established in 2020 by UMI Fund, unites organizations committed to climate action, by building regenerative economies with zero waste models.
We are facilitating the global transition from landfills and the false solution of incineration to cooperatives that would benefit waste pickers and reduce methane production.
Our collective impact supercharges the zero waste movement with inspiring and replicable models, joint campaigns that shift narratives and create systems change.
The network exists to strengthen the critical link between zero waste and climate work and to build community among local movements working towards the inclusion of informal waste workers, environmental justice, and climate impact mitigation.
“Zero waste implementation is not a project, but a system.”
Ana Rocha, Nipe Fagio
Our Approach
History of GLOW
UMI Fund was established in 2020 with organizations who wanted to advance zero waste, climate action, and regenerative economies, with the vision of connecting zero waste and climate work globally to local movements working towards climate justice and mitigation.
2019A Co-Created Beginning
Representatives from Nipe Fagio, Purpose, GroundWork, GAIA, GAYO, C40 met to discuss possibilities of working together on global waste solutions.2020First Proposal
Each organization wrote 3-year proposals to The UMI Fund and collectively created the GLOW Network goals; vision; impact, and joint cover sheet for Board approval.2023First Global Convening
The GLOW Network met in-person for the first time with the strategic gathering co-hosted by GAYO in Accra, Ghana. In attendance: Nipe Fagio, Mother Earth Foundation, POLIS, Zero Waste Europe, GAIA, GAYO, MIya Ywech, Purpose, GroundWork, C40, ICLEI Africa and The UMI Fund.2024Continuing and Scaling Collaboration
GLOW members received one year renewals for 2024 and 2025. The International Zero Waste Cities Conference (IZWCC) and the Methane Action and Environmental Justice Summit were held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, while Composting for our Future Workshop was held in Durban, South Africa.2025GLOW Working Group
A new working group has been formed to redesign the collective strategy and 3-year individual proposals to scale our work.2026Next Convening and Co-Creation Stage
The GLOW Network gathering will be held in Manila and Siquijor, The Philippines to nurture and grow the network, bolster storytelling capacity, and co-create the 2026-2029 Strategic Implementation Plan.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Systems thinking
We believe that addressing the climate emergency implies systemic change. We break the silos of traditional waste management by bringing a systems thinking approach. We connect waste to production, food waste to land use and healthy diets, informal recyclers to climate action, materials recovery to the city's economic policy design.Environmental justice as a driver of our motivations and actions
We work towards resilient cities and thriving local economies built around sustainability goals. We promote simple, decentralized, and community-led systems that create local jobs and improve livelihoods while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.Leadership from the bottom up
We believe in local power and knowledge. Engaging communities in public policy design strengthens democracies, adds a diversity of voices and perspectives, and helps ensure that policies are socially and environmentally just.Future-friendly
We envision cities where nothing and no one is wasted. We work with communities and workers that are advancing real and practical solutions to unsustainable and polluting waste systems, rooted in local context.Collaboration among entities with shared values
International and cross-sectoral solidarity among social movements expands our impact. We are connected. We support each other, build projects together, and care for each other. Our local wins are others’ wins as well, and our connections increase our potential for success.Shared learning and continuous improvement
We believe in open communication and sharing and learning from others as a key tool for success and replication. We create spaces for debate and the exchange of perspectives and experiences, and leverage our work by supporting capacity building for others.Strengths-based
We focus on the strengths of the people that we work with, our own and the connections around both. Our mindset gears towards opportunities in opposition to shortfalls and we intentionally give people, environment, and cities a chance to thrive based on their strengths.
IMPACT
in policy and systems-change around the world.
This work includes the implementation of people-led waste prevention and management systems, as well as technical assistance to city governments, in many cases integrated in food systems and regenerative models.
People served by our people-powered zero waste systems, mainstreaming people-powered zero waste systems as a climate solution.
People employed by zero waste systems
Waste pickers with improved conditions
Organizations engaged beyond waste sector
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.
Members around the world
Cities engaged
Organized campaigns, delegations, and events
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.
Sites built, including 8 MRFs, 9+ compost plants, reuse centers, drop off
Waste collection points across 15 Wards in Pune and multiple buyback centers and reuse initiatives