Qgreen
We are part of the solution for green sustainable development, applying the principles of the circular economy. We strive to approach each project as an opportunity to strengthen the economy, society, and the natural world. To achieve this, we participate in multidisciplinary teams to develop a holistic perspective and bring innovative ideas and sustainable solutions to our clients’ projects. We provide innovative advisory and support services to businesses, municipalities & public authorities, NGOs, and policy makers in environmental and natural resource management.
We are delivering scientific, sustainable, and integrated green solutions that will preserve a legacy for future generations and contribute to “closing the loop” inclusively and fairly for all.
ISWA Women of Waste
Women created the Women of Waste Task Force to advocate for and spotlight women’s work and achievements. WOW! explores the link between gender and sustainable waste management and resource recovery systems to improve overall waste management, empowering women in the sector.
Led by a technically and geographically diverse group of women experts, WOW! activities are based on scientific evidence and best practice solutions.
Our Mission and Objectives
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The WoW Task Force promotes the role and visibility of women at all levels of the solid waste sector globally by:
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Building a global network for women
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Conducting and disseminating research on women in the sector
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Strengthening the capacity of women waste workers and professionals through practical tools and training
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Advocating for safe workplaces and equal advancement opportunities for women
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Promoting rewarding careers in sustainable waste management to attract and retain more women in the sector
Maria Tsakona
Owner QGreen, Senior Expert at GRID-Arendal
I am the owner of QGreen, a Greek firm dedicated to advancing sustainable waste management and circular economy solutions. With more than 20 years of experience in the environmental sector, I have worked closely with municipalities, industry, and international organisations to design a sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented waste management sector. A key part of my journey has also been my role as a Senior Expert at GRID-Arendal. Working with this incredible organisation has expanded my understanding of the global waste crisis, especially the complexities of plastic pollution and the realities faced by the informal recycling sector. My role as a researcher at the ISWA Marine Litter Task Force has further expanded my understanding of plastic pollution in the marine environment.
I also serve as the Co-Founder and Chair of the ISWA Women of Waste Task Force, a role that has brought gender inclusion to the forefront of our sector and created a global community where women can thrive, lead, and inspire others. My work is driven by the belief that sustainable waste management is not only a technical challenge but a social mission that requires diverse voices and a collective vision.
What are the biggest projects/ initiatives in waste management that your organisation has achieved so far?
My work has always focused not only on improving waste systems, but on empowering the people within them. Through QGreen, I have supported municipalities and enterprises in Greece and abroad in adopting more circular waste practices, including contributing to the LIFE IP CEI Greece project to help advance circular economy implementation nationally.
Through my work at GRID-Arendal, I have contributed to global efforts supporting a just transition for the informal recycling sector. We authored the policy brief “A Seat at the Table”, highlighting both the vulnerability and the essential contributions of informal recyclers worldwide. We also developed the global programme “Awareness and Capacity-building for Women in the Informal Recycling Sector,” created through a partnership between GRID-Arendal, the ISWA Women of Waste Task Force, USAID, WIEGO, and other international partners. Already implemented in Asia and Africa, this programme strengthens the visibility, dignity, and skills of women who play a crucial yet often unrecognised role in global recycling chains.
Through the Women of Waste Task Force, we additionally carried out two global surveys (in 2018 and 2023) mapping the status of women in the waste sector, giving thousands of women a platform to be heard. Together with our annual Women of Waste Session at the ISWA World Congress, these efforts have become powerful advocacy tools, helping shift global conversations toward greater inclusion and equity in the waste management sector.
What inspired you/ your organisation to join ISWA, and how has ISWA helped in your career?
ISWA drew me in because it felt like a global home for people who truly care. It is rare to find a network where professionalism and passion coexist so naturally. I wanted to be connected to a community where science, collaboration, and heart live side by side.
ISWA has profoundly shaped my career since I became a member in 2011. It opened doors to international collaboration, introduced me to lifelong friends, and helped me truly find my voice and place in this sector. It was within ISWA that the Women of Waste Task Force was born in late 2016, and it has since grown, influencing other global organisations to look into the gender aspects of both the formal and informal waste management sectors.
What are your biggest challenges so far?
One of the biggest challenges has been transforming political ambition into real action at the local level. Policies often look perfect on paper, but implementing them requires patience, perseverance, and a lot of emotional resilience. Encouraging behavioural change is not easy, especially when habits are deeply rooted.
On a more personal level, advocating for gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated sector has not always been simple. There were moments of resistance and frustration, but they only strengthened my determination. My work with GRID-Arendal and the Women of Waste Task Force constantly reminds me that change takes time, but it always starts with someone who refuses to give up.
In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues in the waste sector that should be addressed today?
We cannot ignore that we are generating far more waste than our systems and our planet can handle. Waste prevention must become a global priority. Plastic pollution, in particular, demands urgent attention not only for its environmental impact but also for the people affected, especially informal recyclers who often work under dangerous, unfair, and invisible conditions.
My work has shown me the human faces behind the waste crisis: informal workers, vulnerable communities, and coastal regions overwhelmed by waste. These experiences make it clear that environmental issues are also social issues, and we must address them with empathy, fairness, and collaboration.
What are the trends in waste management that excite you the most?
I am inspired by the growing global movement towards reuse, redesign, and repair, trends that reconnect people to purpose. I am also encouraged by innovations that give value back to materials, especially in ways that can support local economies and informal workers.
Digitalisation is opening new doors, allowing us to improve transparency, track waste flows, and involve communities in entirely new ways. Yet the trend that touches my heart most is seeing social and gender inclusion finally take centre stage.
What role do you see ISWA play in driving sustainable practices globally?
ISWA acts as a global connector, a place where expertise meets empathy, where science meets community, and where local challenges meet global solutions. Its ability to bring people together across countries, cultures, and professional backgrounds is one of its greatest strengths.
ISWA is helping shape not only better waste systems but better conversations, ones that are inclusive, grounded, and guided by real human experience. And that is what will truly move us forward.
How can ISWA members collaborate more effectively to address shared challenges?
We can collaborate more effectively by being more open, meaning open with our knowledge, open with our failures, and open with our hearts. Real progress happens when we stop trying to impress one another and start learning from one another.
If we listen more, share more, and connect across regions and disciplines, we can form a powerful global community capable of tackling even the toughest challenges. Collaboration is not just about exchanging data; it is about building trust.
ISWA has an active Young Professionals Group as a special task force, what would be your advice to them looking to make a difference in the waste sector?
To young professionals: please know that your voice matters. Your ideas matter. Your passion matters. The waste sector needs your energy, your courage, and your willingness to see the world differently.
Don’t be afraid to seek support, to ask questions, to make mistakes, or to lead boldly. Find mentors who believe in you and be generous with your talents. Remember that this field is not only about managing waste, but also about protecting people, communities, and the planet.
