Rapid urbanization and industrialization are causing severe impacts on the global environment by increasing solid waste generation, depleting natural resources, deteriorating soil quality, and elevating climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions. Adaption of circular and green economy in waste management sector is the key factor to curb the environmental pollution along with effective mitigation of climate change. Hong Kong generates over 14,000 tonnes of MSW per day which includes 30% food waste, 24% paper waste, and 21% plastic waste. These waste fractions can be reused, recycled and refurbished using circular economy models by adapting more resource-efficient and climate-friendly alternatives. However, the present global economy is only 8.6% circular as per Circularity Gap Report 2021 indicating a huge potential for promoting the circular economy across the world. The recent outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has further hindered sustainable waste management practices and resulted in elevated waste generation. Hence, green recovery and circular economy could be the cornerstone for future waste management practices to achieve United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. However, the current situation of waste management in Hong Kong as well as in other Asian countries is not appealing and demands innovative and effective circular economy models to alleviate the pressing climate change issue.

Therefore, the “International Conference on Solid Waste 2023” provides a timely platform for bringing successful case studies and research innovations especially circular economy models from developed and developing countries to provide insights for the formulation of strategies for the growing waste management industry with more business opportunities. Furthermore, the conference will catalyse networking opportunities for young researchers to exchange ideas and interact with eminent scientists working in waste management and circular economy around the world.