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Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes a surge of new energy. Read on to learn about our brand-new project INTERPOOL, dive into our publications on EPR for food products and waste reduction, and learn how inclusion and justice enable zero waste solutions to succeed.
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| Zero Waste Europe's Audience survey for 2026 | |
Tell us what you think of us and what you want to see more of in our 2026 Zero Waste Europe Audience survey!
We work hard to improve people's lives and the planet; aim for quality and impact in everything we do; and believe in raising the voices of those around us. It has been a while since we've 'given you the mic' this way, so now it's time to hear your voice again: - What are we doing well?
- What can we do better?
- What materials work well for you?
- What would make you engage even more with us?
The survey is only as long as your own engagement with Zero Waste Europe (ZWE), and can be filled in 9 different languages. Your opinion really matters to us, and it will go a great way in helping us reach our strategic objectives until 2030. | |
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| INTERPOOL: breakthrough project to save bottles and jars from being wasted | |
Why throw away used glass bottles and jars when they can be washed and refilled? In a truly sustainable world, we reuse our materials instead of breaking them down. With the cross-border INTERPOOL project, we will break bottlenecks instead of bottles.
INTERPOOL unites frontrunners to lay the groundwork for a cross-border reusable packaging system. Over the coming years, we will: - Map existing systems in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany.
- Identify technical, logistical, and policy bottlenecks.
- Determine what’s needed to make systems work across borders.
- Learn from real-world experiences of retailers, fillers, logistics partners, and innovators.
- Deliver a shared strategy and action plan for reusable glass packaging across Europe.
Fair Resource Foundation and Enviu initiated an alliance of 14 partners across Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, including ZWE and the Mission Zero Academy (MiZA). Together, we will enable a pooling system for the reuse of glass packaging across borders. This project is funded by the EU under Interreg NWE until June 2029.
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| Solutions from the ground up: reflections from a global convening of zero waste activists | |
Earlier in February, over 40 zero waste practitioners from 18 countries gathered in the Philippines for the GLOW Network global convening. By sharing strategies, stories, and a common vision rooted in environmental justice, they discussed what really makes zero waste work.
The answer was right outside their meeting space. In communities like Barangay Potrero, waste workers run recycling facilities, compost organic waste, educate residents, and operate zero waste stores. With 80% community participation, it is proof that inclusion and justice are a big part of what make zero waste systems succeed.
For World Day of Social Justice on 20 February, our colleague Manon Jourdan shared lessons (with contributions from Ismael Casotti Rienda and Danita Zarichinova) from the GLOW Network meeting that go well beyond the Philippines.
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Priatele Zeme: A clear no to new waste incinerator for Skalica | | Together with the residents of Skalica, our Slovak member Priatele Zeme (SPZ) has stopped the plans to build a waste incinerator with a capacity of 135,000 tons of waste/year near the town. During the first ever referendum held in Skalica, residents voiced their dissatisfaction with the plans, with 6894 people voting no to the construction of the incinerator. Over the past few months, together with a local civic association, SPZ has provided expert support, participated in public events, highlighted the environmental and health risks of incinerators, and presented alternatives. | | ZW Switzerland: Yverdon-les-Bains Zero Waste Challenge | | From October 2025 to April 2026, ZeroWaste Switzerland and the City of Yverdon-les-Bains are providing free support to several households to help them reduce their waste as part of the “Zero Waste Challenge in Yverdon-les-Bains”. Through a series of practical workshops and personalised coaching sessions, (including a site visit to the local waste management centre and a practical workshop on zero waste cooking) 14 households are moving forward in their zero waste journey. These activities are open to everyone and participants can register on a rolling basis. | | | |
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| Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for waste reduction | | | Economic impacts of O3 exposure | | | |
| The case for Extended Producer Responsibility for food products | | | Marginalising waste: A trading scheme to reduce residuals | | | |
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| Creating сhanges despite the crisis: waste management companies in Ukraine | | | #MeetTheTeam – Ana Oliveira, Head of Communications | | | |
| If you were to design a Deposit Return System (DRS) for the Global South, how would you do it? | | | |
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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 © 2026 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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