Growing urban population and industrialization posing serious environmental issues including solid waste disposal, decreased soil quality, inadequate nutrient recycling, climate change and high-dependency for fossil-fuels. All these issues are interlinked and to offset or reduce the impacts, collective efforts are required from different stakeholders to develop specific technologies for meeting sustainable development goals. Municipal solid waste contains an abundant renewable resource that can be used to produce relevant platform compounds that serve as alternatives to chemicals, materials, and petroleum on which human survival depends. Developing solid waste management practices is the key factor to curb environmental pollution along with effective mitigation of climate change. As reported, the production of MSW in China was around 242 million tons in 2020, however, current the total utilization rate is less than 3%. Therefore, a multi-dimensional approach and efficient knowledge transfers are required to deal with the alarming problem.

Therefore, the “International Conference on Solid Waste 2025” (ICSWDG2025) focused on a timely issue with the aim to bring successful case studies and research innovations about circular economy models from developed and developing countries to provide insights for the formulation of strategies to deal with the growing waste management needs. In addition, the conference will provide networking opportunities for young researchers to exchange ideas and interact with eminent scientists during the conference in waste management and climate change around the world. 

The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a key national strategy led by President Xi Jinping. China's Eco-Environmental Protection Plan for the GBA (June 2022) calls for the creation of a "Waste-free Bay Area" and serve as a regional model for waste-free cities. To support this vision and enhance collaboration in solid waste management across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, the ICSWDG2025 will feature a Special Forum on the Greater Bay Area Sustainable Solid Waste Management- Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao Regional Collaboration to create a Waste Free Bay Area. The forum will facilitate collaboration between experts from Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau and international to explore how regional co-governance, coupled with the integration of industry and city government, can achieve sustainable waste treatment with technological innovation and application in the solid waste sector in the Great Bay Area.