The packaging waste crisis Packaging waste in Europe has reached endemic proportions. The European Union predicts a shocking 19% increase in packaging waste by 2030 if current trends continue. This grim projection is also a call for urgent action. Recognising the gravity of the situation, the EU has introduced the [...]
Imagine a space where everyone sees reuse as essential to preserve our environment and improve our society. This was the scene at the second Reuse Festival organised by Zelena Akcija/Zero Waste Croatia in Zagreb on 5-7 June 2024. Over three days, our community came together to celebrate, learn, and engage [...]
On World Environment Day, the municipality of Calatafimi Segesta in Sicily hosted a conference on June 5th to address the environmental dangers posed by single-use plastics and explore viable alternatives. This event was organised by Zero Waste Italy in the frame of the European project Elevating Reuse in Cities (ERIC) [...]
Circular Economy Portugal (CEP) is this month’s ZWE Changemaker! They promote circular economy by developing projects focused on waste prevention, reuse, and repair. Key initiatives include the Circular Pioneers Network, which supports small businesses leading the circular transition, and Liga Ação, a platform facilitating zero waste choices and community empowerment. [...]
At Zero Waste Europe, our aim is to accelerate the adoption of zero waste solutions, right at the grassroots level, where cities and businesses collaborate with their communities. Of course, this cannot be driven solely by a team from Brussels. This work is made possible only through the actions and [...]
As people and communities’ demands for sustainable waste management solutions intensify globally, waste incinerators are often promoted by the industry as a viable solution to reduce landfill use and generate energy. The European incinerator plants are often described by industry players as modern and safe” in terms of their environmental [...]
This year, the Zero Waste Europe Network Wide Gathering (NWG) took place in Ghent, one of Belgium’s oldest cities and a leader in festival cup reuse, involved also in the ReuSe Vanguard (RSVP) project. Fair Resource Foundation (FRF), the Dutch member of Zero Waste Europe active in both The Netherlands [...]
After an eight-year legal battle, Sofia’s court has halted plans for a new waste incinerator. The decision underscores the importance of public participation, accurate data, and thorough health and environmental assessments in urban development. The court highlighted deficiencies in public involvement, health risk assessments, waste data accuracy, and air quality [...]
A shift from procedure to policy UN processes often resemble life itself: slow-moving until suddenly time runs out, leaving crucial tasks undone. The recent fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC4) in Ottawa, Canada, added another chapter to the ongoing saga of the Global Plastics Treaty. However, definitive decisions remain elusive, with [...]
After three whirlwind days in Ghent, Zero Waste Europe’s Network-Wide Gathering (NWG) Europe was both a marathon and a sprint — a full-on yet infinitely energising experience that left us all more optimistic and charged to strive for a true zero waste society. This NWG, over 60 of Zero Waste [...]