Being the 4th largest source of carbon emissions in the world, while also representing a burden on human health in particular in poor urban settings, increasing biodegradable waste is a worrying issue that we must address. The value of what is in our trash is whopping but still largely under-estimated and exploited. Close the loop is a platform based on a website aiming at preventing waste by raising people's awareness about biodegradable waste and compost, through many tools, like interviews, calls for actions or advice. We further support the implementation of local pilot projects starting from our prime locations in Bengaluru (India), Paris (France), New York Ciy (U.S.A.) and Ekhurulen (South Africa). This project has been initiated during the ClimateX Leadership Pilot Programme organised by the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC) whom mission is to advance climate change solutions through research, education, and public outreach, and to partner with industry, non-profit and government organizations to promote rapid implementation from local to global scales. The founding members of "Close The Loop" come from the member universities of GAUC: Tsinghua University, Sciences Po, Indian Institute of Science, Stellenbosch University and Columbia University.
