From Cities to Kitchens: Takeaways from the International Conference on Zero Waste (ICWMT20)

Global, August 2025

Around the world, cities, industries, and innovators are finding new ways to tackle waste head-on. From coastal tourism hubs to industrial parks and hotel kitchens, the zero-waste movement is gaining momentum combining data-driven strategies, community engagement, and circular economy thinking.

LightBlue Consulting was proud to be part of this global conversation throughout July 2025, as organizations and experts shared how zero-waste solutions are turning ambitious goals into measurable results.

Let’s dig in….

I. Why Zero-Waste and Food Waste Solutions Matter

Reducing food waste at the source is key to achieving zero-waste goals in hospitality and cities.

Food waste isn’t just an environmental concern, it’s a hidden cost hotels can’t afford to ignore, especially in today’s competitive and evolving tourism market.

Waste isn’t just an environmental problem: It’s a resource, cost, and climate challenge. Globally, the UN General Assembly’s Resolution A/RES/77/161 calls for cities and industries to accelerate zero-waste initiatives, linking better waste management to sustainable growth.

In the hospitality sector alone, food waste can represent around 5% of the cost of goods sold, a significant line item that eats into operating costs. Reducing it doesn’t just cut emissions; it boosts resilience and protects margins. Across cities and industries, the message is clear: turning waste into data, and data into action, is the fastest path to impact.

II. Global ICWMT20 Conference Highlights

ICWMT20 brought together leaders from 18 countries to exchange zero-waste best practices

Held on July 7, 2025, and organized by BCRC China, the conference brought together 100+ participants from 18 countries to share zero-waste best practices.

• Key Themes: Building zero-waste cities, behavior change, and the material-energy nexus for circular economies.

• Speakers Included:

  • Mr. Takehiro Nakamura (UNEP IETC) – Global zero-waste strategy and UN initiatives.

  • Prof. Saleem H. Ali – Linking material and energy flows for circular economies.

  • CityNet Delegates (Christopher Di Gennaro & Vijay Jagannathan) – Climate-smart strategies for the Global South.

  • Ms. Shalini Bhalla – Decarbonizing schools through zero-waste practices.

LightBlue Consulting’s Margaux Leoni and Andrea Bellini delivered a presentation on “Holistic Food Waste Solutions” which highlighted zero-waste best practices and were recognized by the UN Advisory Board demonstrated by the launch of the first International Day of Zero Waste in 2024.

From June 30 to July 8, 2025, UNEP IETC representatives visited Tianjin and Hangzhou to see zero-waste initiatives in action.

• Explored eco-city management, e-waste dismantling, and smart waste supervision systems at leading enterprises like Geely and HUGE Recycling.

• Engaged with local environmental bureaus and community projects to understand how policy, tech, and public participation drive measurable results.

• The findings will inform international knowledge sharing to support more zero-waste city pilots worldwide.

Sanya (Coastal Tourism City)

• Launched a zero-waste city program in 2018 combining policy, citizen engagement, and capacity-building.

• Result: Environmental and economic gains, offering a model for other tourism cities.

Nanjing (Industrial Zones)

• Introduced “Zero-Waste Park” models for chemical industrial parks—high-impact waste generators.

• Focused on source reduction, innovation, and public engagement to create a replicable model for other industrial hubs.

III. LightBlue’s Role in the Zero-Waste Movement

The LightBlue FIT Food Waste Tech empowers kitchen staffs by allowing them to log kitchen waste in real time. Turning data into smarter, more sustainable operations.

With 120+ global clients implementing our LightBlue FIT Food Waste Tech solution in their commercial kitchens under major international hospitality brands such as Marriott Hotels & Hyatt Hotels, LightBlue Consulting remains committed to bridging the gap between global zero-waste goals and practical, scalable food waste reduction.

• LightBlue FIT Food Waste Tech helps kitchens track, analyze, and reduce waste by 25–35% per cover, supporting both cost savings and climate goals.

• By turning daily kitchen actions into measurable results, we help hospitality teams align with zero-waste city ambitions worldwide.

• For example, a LightBlue client in Spain achieved a 31% food waste reduction in just one year, preventing 120 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and saving US$182,300, proving that food waste reduction is as much about protecting margins as it is about sustainability.

Read More: Case Study Here

We closed off our presentation with our successful Mauritius Project. 

In 2022, LightBlue spearheaded a nine-month food waste prevention initiative in Mauritius, partnering with 10 organizations—including 8 hotels and 2 staff canteens—to reduce costs, cut food waste, and achieve The PLEDGE on Food Waste certification. By combining technical training, data-driven monitoring, and hands-on consulting, the project empowered local teams to make food waste prevention a daily habit.

The results were tangible: participating kitchens achieved an average 43% reduction in food waste, preventing 62,566 kg of food from being wasted—equivalent to 125,132 meals saved. This also translated to US$209,717 in savings and avoided 156.4 tons of CO₂ emissions (roughly the impact of 97 Paris–Mauritius flights).

The project trained 96 staff and analyzed over 16,000 data points, demonstrating how collaborative, data-backed action can deliver both environmental and financial benefits.

Read More: Case Study Here

IV. Want More Summer Global Zero-Waste in Action?

These July initiatives are part of a wider global movement celebrating sustainable gastronomy and circular food systems.

Check out our UN Gastronomy Day 2025 recap to see how chefs, hotels, and NGO institutions worldwide celebrated sustainable culinary innovation earlier this year.

V. Talk to LightBlue About Food Waste Solutions

Talk to LightBlue about the full menu of food waste solutions. From kitchen tech to hands-on training that drives real results.

Are you looking for solutions to effectively pursue Zero-Waste? LightBlue offers a full arsenal of solutions designed to reduce food waste and optimize operations:

• FIT Food Waste Tech – Track, measure, and reduce kitchen waste with the surprisingly affordable, scalable solution available on iOS (AppStore) and Android (Google Play).

• The PLEDGE on Food Waste Certification – Showcase your commitment to responsible food practices and meet global sustainability standards

• LightBlue Learning Online Course – Equip yourself with the actionable insights for your ongoing or upcoming careers in the changing landscape towards sustainability.

Whether you’re just starting to pilot a food waste reduction program or scaling up an enterprise‑wide initiative, our tools transform daily kitchen practices into measurable impact.

👉 Get started today by visiting our Website Page or emailing us at contact@lightblueconsulting.com