ZERO WASTE EUROPE

“Less is more” is a common expression reminding us that the most impactful and satisfying results are sometimes achieved by focusing on simplicity over complexity and abundance. It encourages us to focus on what truly matters.  At ZWE, we believe that a clean, circular approach is what truly matters when it comes to achieving long-term economic […]

The post Behind the EU’s regulatory simplification: clean but not green? appeared first on Zero Waste Europe.

It’s time to discover and learn more about the people behind Zero Waste Europe’s work and magic! In addition to the ZWE Changemakers series, where you can learn more about our member organisations, we invite you to get a closer look at our staff, what they do, and what inspires them to work for a […]

The post #MeetTheTeam – Joan Marc Simon appeared first on Zero Waste Europe.

Across Europe, urban parks are becoming pioneers in the movement towards circular, waste-free living. These green spaces, traditionally seen as places for rest and recreation, are now being transformed into living labs for sustainability thanks to the Zero Waste Urban Parks (ZWUP) project. From parks to prototypes for change Funded by the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, ZWUP is an […]

The post What can urban parks teach us about the shift to Zero Waste cities? More than you might think appeared first on Zero Waste Europe.

Final reflections from the LIFE BIOBEST project—2.5 years of practical solutions to close the bio-waste management gap Across Europe, the soil beneath our feet is in silent crisis. Today, 60–70% of European soils are classified as unhealthy, and nearly half suffer from dangerously low levels of organic matter. When soils are degraded, they lose their […]

The post Bridging EU bio-waste legislation and practical solutions for healthier soils appeared first on Zero Waste Europe.

Nestled near Hungary’s border with Slovakia, the tiny municipality of Ipolytölgyes is quietly redefining what rural sustainability can look like. Through a simple initiative called the “Long Ladder” project, the village is tackling isolation, inequality, and waste all at once, by letting locals borrow what they need, instead of buying it. A new model for […]

The post When a village shares: how Ipolytölgyes supports residents and cuts waste appeared first on Zero Waste Europe.

Over the past two years, Zero Waste Europe and 10 of its member organisations have teamed up with 30 European cities through the Elevating Reuse in Cities (ERIC) project, consolidating a network now covering over 3 million EU citizens. Together, they are developing and implementing local prevention plans to help reduce the generation of single-use […]

The post Breaking the single-use bias: two years of local action through the Elevating Reuse In Cities Project appeared first on Zero Waste Europe.

There’s something powerful about our yearly Network-Wide Gathering (NWG). More than just a meeting, it’s a vital moment for our movement to reconnect, reflect, and recharge. Each year, this gathering brings our network closer, helping us deepen our collective work, share stories and strategies, and spark new opportunities for collaboration. In May 2025, over 60 […]

The post Coming together for change: highlights from our annual network gathering appeared first on Zero Waste Europe.

What is the role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in a circular economy? The Zero Waste Festival, which took place in Barcelona on 26-27 March, devoted one session to discussing the lessons of the last 30 years and the opportunities for the coming 30, so that EPR becomes an enabler in this transition. The presentation […]

The post Challenges and opportunities for Extended Producer Responsibility in the EU appeared first on Zero Waste Europe.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy principle established over 30 years ago to make producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of the products they place on the market. However, when this principle was incorporated into EU policy, its original lifecycle perspective was largely lost, with the focus shifting primarily to the end of life […]

The post Designing Extended Producer Responsibility to deliver on EU’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy agenda appeared first on Zero Waste Europe.