Innovations for waste management should use the 3R concept, treatment and disposal methods with zero pollution

The internationally recognized definition of zero waste adopted by the Zero Waste International Alliance, states that “Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use. Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them. Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health"

While this is a goal that Sri Lanka should aspire to achieve, we are a long way from it.  As a step towards achieving this goal, we need to develop effective and efficient systems to manage wastes with minimal adverse environmental impacts.  

The innovative waste management sector of the MJF Awards encourages inventors to develop innovative ways for reducing, re-using, recycling, treating, and disposing of waste with a goal of zero or no pollution.  Inventors are invited to submit scientifically sound, economically feasible and practical conceptual models or working prototypes of waste management systems aiming towards a goal of zero pollution.