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Before we close another eventful year for zero waste in Europe, we have some final updates to share—from the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations to exciting events in 2025. Thank you for your support throughout 2024, and see you next year for more zero waste action! | |
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Holiday greetings and well-wishes for 2025 from ZWE | |
As 2024 comes to an end, we want to celebrate the inspiring progress we've made together towards a zero waste future. This year challenged us with stark reminders of our socio-environmental realities—from intensifying climate impacts to complex global shifts. Yet, the zero waste movement has shown remarkable resilience and creativity.
Looking ahead to 2025, we're excited about what the movement can achieve. By continuing to join forces, sharing our insights, and supporting each other's bold ideas, we can turn zero waste from a vision into a reality. Our strength lies in how we can lift each other up and create real, lasting impact for people and the planet.
Watch our Executive Director Esra Tat's end-of-year message to the zero waste movement, as we raise our glasses to continuing change and growing impact in 2025!
Season’s greetings and a Happy New Year, The Zero Waste Europe team | |
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Global Plastics Treaty: We are getting there. Slowly. | |
While no final agreement was reached after 2.5 years of negotiations, this still represents a victory for meaningful change over a rushed compromise, as a strong coalition of 85+ countries stood firm against the delay-and-derail tactics of nations with powers, refusing to accept a watered-down treaty.
In his latest analysis, ZWE Founder Joan Marc Simon explains the shift in the global conversation —plastic pollution is finally being addressed at its source, not just as a waste management issue. While an additional negotiating session will be needed, the message is clear: the majority of nations prefer a strong treaty tomorrow over a weak one today. | |
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Mission Zero Academy opens applications for the 'From Expert to Trainer' course | |
You're an expert in sustainability—but do you know how to teach others? The Mission Zero Academy (MiZA) has opened for applications for next year's Zero Waste Trainer course, turning experts into teachers.
Taking place from February to April 2025, the course will be organised in a hybrid format with a final in-person workshop in Brussels. MiZA welcomes both volunteer and professional experts in sustainability and environmentalism; the only requirement is previous experience with teaching and conducting workshops, as well as a desire to develop your training skills.
Sounds like the perfect match? Apply for the course until 2 February 2025. | |
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Zero Waste Festival launches digital platform and conference themes ahead of 2025 festival | |
This week, ZWE and Rezero launched a new digital platform for the second edition of the Zero Waste Festival, set to be held in Barcelona, Spain, from 26 to 27 March 2025.
Together with the website launch and a short video teaser, the festival organisers have also released exciting news about the festival's themes, which will span everything from circular textile models and the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to the role of wellbeing, sufficiency, and resilience in staying within planetary boundaries.
Tickets will go on sale in the new year; to receive the latest news on the programme, speakers, and ticket releases, sign up for the Zero Waste Festival newsletter or watch this space for updates.
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Register now for the 'Prevention Pioneers – field visit and expert workshop' on 25 March 2025 | |
On 25 March 2025, one day before the Zero Waste Festival, ZWE and Rezero will host a specialised study tour and networking day. The 'Prevention Pioneers' workshop will bring together city officials, waste technicians, and innovative businesses for a day of hands-on learning and collaboration.
Building on insights from the Elevating Reuse in Cities (ERIC) and Reuse Vanguard Project (RSVP), participants will visit Viladecans, a Zero Waste Candidate City, to explore successful waste prevention initiatives and discuss the city's groundbreaking plastic prevention plan.
With just 25 spots available, interested participants should submit their applications by 10 February 2025. The event is free of charge and includes catering, local transportation, and an evening networking session.
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#BreakFreeFromPlastic: Coca-Cola drops targets for reuse | |
#BreakFreeFromPlastic (BFFP) has responded to Coca-Cola's controversial decision to drop its 25% reusable packaging target for 2030 from its environmental commitments.
The announcement, which came during the final round of the INC-5 negotiations, has been called a "significant de-evolution" by the movement. This decision starkly demonstrates why legally binding measures—and not voluntary corporate pledges—must be at the heart of the Global Plastics Treaty. | |
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UKWIN: Briefing for potential investors in UK EFW projects | | Our member UK Without Incineration Network (UKWIN) has released a new analysis that exposes the mounting risks of Energy from Waste (EfW) investments. The briefing "Considerations for Potential Energy-from-Waste Investors" dismantles the business case for incineration, revealing an industry facing unprecedented challenges—from carbon pricing and overcapacity to growing public opposition. With 20 million tonnes of UK incinerator capacity already stalled in the pipeline, UKWIN's research provides crucial ammunition in the fight against waste burning, making a powerful case for investing in real circular economy solutions instead. | | FRF: Reusable Packaging Fair 2024 in Den Bosch, Netherlands | | At the end of November, Fair Resource Foundation (FRF) and Mission Reuse drew over 400 industry professionals to Den Bosch for the second Reusable Packaging Fair. The event showcased the dramatic shift happening in packaging, from smart tracking systems to innovative shipping solutions across 25 exhibition stands. Among them was MiZA, which connected with participants on zero waste implementation and reuse strategies. With 26 knowledge-sharing sessions and packed workshops on the new EU Packaging Regulation, the event demonstrated how rapidly reuse is moving from niche to mainstream. Watch the event aftermovie to see the momentum building behind the reuse revolution.
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The True Toxic Toll – 2nd biomonitoring report in Turna na Bodvou, Slovakia | | A short story of Social Impact Bonds: Insights for NGOs from Zero Waste Europe’s experience | | | |
LIFE BIOBEST: Summary of Guidelines | | LIFE BIOBEST: Assessment matrix of best practices | | | |
LIFE BIOBEST: Proposal for quality standards for bio-waste entering biological recycling facilities | | ‘Dual-use output’ issues for accounting recycled plastic content | | | |
Open letter from environmental civil society organisations to the European Commission | | Safety of food contact materials: 20 years of inaction on EU’s basic rules | | | |
How to collect textile waste in cities? | | | |
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#LeydeResiduosYA campaign as enabler of change in Spain | | Together again! Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine gathers in Lviv | | | |
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Zero Waste Europe gratefully acknowledges financial assistance from the European Union: Commission Directorate General (DG) Environment. The sole responsibility for the content of this newsletter lies with Zero Waste Europe. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the funder mentioned above. The funder cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. | | | |
Copyright © 2024 Zero Waste Europe, all rights reserved.
You are receiving this e-newsletter because you opted in via our website, our social media networks, or expressed interest to a member of our team. | |
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