For Immediate Release: September 4, 2026
The Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) is pleased to announce that, following confirmation by its Board of Directors on July 16, 2026, Jamie Kaminski has been appointed Managing Director of ZWIA and will provide strategic leadership and coordination for the organization’s international work.
Jamie accepts this leadership responsibility with gratitude for the trust placed in him and with deep respect for the people who have built and supported ZWIA throughout its history.
As Managing Director, Jamie will work alongside the various directors, national affiliates, advisors, working groups, and members of the wider international Zero Waste community. His role will focus on strengthening collaboration and helping advance internationally aligned Zero Waste policies, education, standards, certifications, and best practices.
Recognizing Richard Anthony’s Leadership
Jamie would like to express his sincere appreciation to Richard Anthony for his vision, leadership, mentorship, and friendship. Richard has dedicated more than two decades to building the Zero Waste International Alliance and will continue to provide guidance and support during this leadership transition.
Richard helped lay the foundation for what became the Zero Waste International Alliance beginning in 2002 and has played an important role in guiding its development.
His leadership helped bring together Zero Waste advocates and experts from around the world to develop internationally aligned definitions, principles, policies, standards, and practical guidance.
Jamie looks forward to building on this strong foundation while continuing to learn from Richard and the wider Zero Waste community.
Recognizing the People Behind the Work
Jamie also recognizes that his understanding of Zero Waste has been shaped through years of collaboration with an extraordinary international community of colleagues, mentors, Board members, national affiliate leaders, and friends.
He is especially grateful to Gary Liss, Elena Mateo, Ruth Abbe, Annemarie Sauter, Rodrigo Sabatini, Mahesh Nakarmi, Neil Seldman, Pål Mårtensson, Sonia Mendoza, Dorte Wray, Enzo Favoino, Buddy Boyd, Barb Hetherington, Mike Ewall, Sue Maxwell, Paolo Muir, and the many others around the world who have generously shared their time, knowledge, perspectives, encouragement, and most of all friendship over the years.
“I am deeply honoured by the confidence placed in me by the ZWIA Board of Directors. This appointment is not an individual achievement, but a reflection of the many people who have invested their time, knowledge, and support over the years. I look forward to building on the strong foundation established by Richard and so many others as we continue strengthening collaboration, advancing internationally aligned Zero Waste policy and education, and supporting the growth of the global Zero Waste community.”
— Jamie Kaminski
Managing Director, Zero Waste International Alliance
A Responsibility Built Through Community
Before accepting this role, Jamie served as a member of the ZWIA Board of Directors and Chair of the Zero Waste Hierarchy Working Group. Through these responsibilities, he has worked with international colleagues to advance credible and consistent approaches to Zero Waste policy and practice.
In his new role, Jamie will build on this experience to help coordinate ZWIA’s international work and strengthen collaboration across its global network.
This appointment reflects a continuation of the collective work built by many people and organizations over more than two decades, with a focus on serving the broader Zero Waste community and advancing shared goals.
ZWIA looks forward to working with Jamie in this new role as the Alliance continues advancing Zero Waste collaboration and action around the world.