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| February might claim the title of the shortest month of the year, but the shortest newsletter? Not with the amount of exciting events and materials (past and future) that we have planned for this month's digest! Strap in, you're in for a treat.
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| Only one month away: Tickets for the Zero Waste Festival in Barcelona available now! | |
The Zero Waste Festival is just one month away, happening 26-27 March in Barcelona! Don't miss your chance to be part of this landmark event—tickets are still available but won't last forever!
Join us for two days packed with talks, panel discussions, exhibitions, and practical sessions about big topics like the fast fashion crisis, Deposit Return Systems, and living within planetary and social boundaries. We’ll also reveal this year’s Rezero Awards winners, celebrate Zero Waste Candidate and Certified Cities and Business with the Mission Zero Academy (MiZA), and celebrate with great live music!
Join the conversation and help transform Barcelona—and Europe—into a hotspot of bold ideas and real progress towards zero waste.
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| Join us for the launch of the Global DRS Platform on 13 March | |
90% of bottles, cans, and cartons are wasted globally. It's time for change.
On 13 March 2025, the Global Deposit and Return (DRS) Platform will launch at a worldwide event, connecting experts, legislators, stakeholders, and resources to successfully implement Deposit and Return Systems globally that ensure collected beverage packaging will be reused or recycled with a just transition. | |
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| New #LIFEBIOBEST recommendations for better EU bio-waste management and final event in Brussels | |
It's been 423 days since the EU's bio-waste mandate came into force, requiring European municipalities separately collect organics at the source—and with more than a year under its belt, it's clear that urgent policy action is needed for the mandate to succeed.
On 6 February, LIFE BIOBEST published a comprehensive guidance for improving EU bio-waste management, including concrete policy measures for transforming the bio-waste challenge into a success story. Together with the guidance, LIFE BIOBEST has also created a short explainer video, summarising the issue and the five actions policymakers need to take to resolve it.
The guidance and its recommendations will presented at a high-level final conference and celebration in Brussels on 5 June, bringing together leading experts in the field of bio-waste management, local frontrunners, and EU policymakers. | |
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| #STICT – a new thread in Europe’s journey towards circular textile systems | |
With the obligation to separately collect textiles coming into force on 1 January 2025 and EPR schemes becoming mandatory from 2027-28, we're currently in a critical window of opportunity for creating an effective European system for preventing and managing textile waste.
To shape the future of EU textile management, Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) is launching a new project on textile waste, 'Strengthening the circular implementation of circular textiles in the EU'—or STICT for short.
Funded by the Laudes Foundation, STICT is a two-year project that aims to bring together communities and decision-makers to establish and replicate local best practices in textile waste management, including shaping emerging EPR systems. Over the next two years, ZWE will partner with our local members Zero Waste Belgium, Zero Waste Estonia, Ekologi brez meja (Slovenia), and TEXroad, experts in textile waste data.
STICT will work to identify and support solutions that transform how Europe handles textiles—unravelling the textile waste challenge one stitch at a time.
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| Tackling plastic waste locally: a Catalan success story | |
How can cities make reuse the easy and preferred choice for their communities?
Watch the inspiring stories of Viladecans and Torrelles de Llobregat, two Catalan cities leading the way with the ERIC (Elevating Reuse in Cities) project. Through innovative reuse systems, they are cutting down on single-use plastic waste and making sustainable choices more accessible for everyone. | |
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| Humusz Szövetség: Celebrating 30 years of environmental leadership in Hungary | |
Our member Humusz Szövetség marks an incredible 30-year milestone this month since its founding on February 9, 1995. Originally established as a collaboration between five environmental organisations, Humusz has grown into Hungary's leading zero waste advocate, developing groundbreaking campaigns, educational programmes, and community initiatives that have shaped the country's approach to waste reduction.
Throughout its 30-year history, Humusz has captured the attention of the public through impactful demonstrations, including bombarding the Ministry of Environment with disposable packaging using a giant throwing machine. Their headquarters hosts a popular Zero Waste Nature Trail, while their work spans from community composting to international partnerships.
For 2025, the organisation is planning to launch the 'Trash Diet' campaign, publish an anniversary issue of the Kukabúvár magazine, and host the annual Worm Festival and Compost Day—continuing their 'Full Life - Zero Waste' mission.
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ZWEE: Recommendations for dark winter evenings | | Zero Waste Estonia (ZWEE) has curated a collection of books and movies for the dark winter evenings to expand your understanding of environmental and social challenges. From Charles Eisenstein's "Climate - A New Story" to the documentary "Welcome To Sodom" about the world's largest e-waste dump, these recommendations offer both entertainment and insights into sustainability issues. Whether you're interested in animal perception, economic models, or the psychology behind consumerism, ZWEE's list might broaden your perspective on how to create a zero waste world. | | EBM: Digital cleanup campaign kicks off in Ljubljana | | Our member Ekologi brez meja (EBM) kicked off their annual digital cleanup campaign with the 'Data = Waste?' conference in Ljubljana. The event brought together experts who addressed the ICT sector's carbon emissions, the growing problem of 'dark data,' and why efficiency alone cannot solve our digital waste challenges. Speakers shared practical approaches for reducing digital clutter, introduced Digital Cleanup Day initiatives, and highlighted solutions to prevent e-waste.
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| Circular Economy Act policy recommendations | | | |
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| Euronews: People are paid to return coffee cups in this Danish city - does it work? | | | Euronews: EU targets food and fast fashion in new war on waste | | | |
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| Want to collaborate with us?
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Do you want to collaborate with Zero Waste Europe and its extended network, and contribute to a truly circular economy? Check out our current opportunities for collaboration: - Director for Zero Waste France (ZWF) – ZWF is looking for a new Director to develop and oversee the implementation of the organisation's vision and strategy; the ideal candidate is an inspiring leader with a strong commitment to a future within planetary boundaries and with respect for humans rights.
Deadline: Interviews will take place on a rolling basis from 24 February
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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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