| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| From repair cafés to circular hubs: local solutions exposing Europe’s e-waste gap | |
As the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) kicked off on Saturday with a spotlight on e-waste, our new blog highlights how communities in Slovenia, Croatia, Portugal and beyond are cutting WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) through repair cafés, digital clean-ups, and other circular initiatives.
Yet, these local successes can only scale if EU legislation drives real systemic change, from mandating design-for-repair to strengthening producer responsibility. Explore inspiring examples, practical tools to kick-start your own initiative, and a clear case for why stronger EU action on e-waste is urgently needed.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Zero Waste Europe at COP30: reflections on zero waste, methane, and the growing momentum for real solutions | |
COP30 in Belém was the one of the main headliners this November, and there was no way we were going to miss it. Our colleague and zero pollution expert Janek Vähk represented ZWE at the international climate conference in Brazil, going there to shine a light on the need for zero waste solutions in methane mitigation.
Joining our colleagues from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Janek and the rest of the delegation engaged in more than 50 events, including six that ZWE organised on food waste prevention, bio-waste, data and MRBT approaches, EPR for food waste, and the ongoing challenges created by carbon markets and waste incineration.
Check out Janek's takeaways on COP and the momentum for real solutions in global methane mitigation via the link below. | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| VOICE Ireland: Threads of Truth investigation reveals that 95% of Irish-donated clothes are exported abroad | |
Take-back bins and clothing banks have multiplied over the last decade, with many commercial collectors advertising how their "environmentally concious" scheme ensures that your donated garments are given a second life.
Over the last 10 months, VOICE Ireland has tested these claims in their Threads of Truth investigation, tracking 23 garments donated through the largest take-back schemes and commercial clothing banks in Ireland, including H&M and Primark (Penneys).
The results? The donations travelled through 12 countries, including Poland, Pakistan, the UAE and Libya – revealing a complex and often opaque global trade. 95% of the donated items, despite 22 out 23 being in good, reuseable condition, left Ireland – and only 6 garments were confirmed to have found a second life.
| |
| |
ZWR: Romania's DRS system is a top performer, but overlooks reuse | | Romania has pulled off a "zero to hero" transformation, achieving a collection rate of 94% for beverage containers just two years after launching a national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). With over 7 billion bottles and cans returned by the public, Romanians have shown that they are more than willing to change their habits. However, as our member Zero Waste Romania (ZWR) points out, the system has a fundamental flaw: it doesn't include reuse. As ZW Romania notes, a DRS focused solely on recycling is "like a car running on half its cylinders." While new laws propose reuse targets for 2027, the current delay means millions of packages are recycled instead of being reused – stopping short of the step that makes a true difference for the environment.
| | ZWL: First Circular Economy Forum in Riga unites the Baltics | | On 5 November, history was made in Riga as the first Latvian Circular Economy Forum brought together waste managers, policymakers, and innovators for the largest event of its kind in the Baltic states. Organised by the Riga Energy Agency and CleanR Grupa, the forum featured 34 thematic sessions spanning textiles, plastics, and food systems. Our member Zero Waste Latvija (ZWL) was at the heart of the action, with 10 of their members leading on and participating in discussions on everything from social entrepreneurship to urban vermicomposting. The energy at the forum was palpable, making it clear that Latvia is ready to embrace true circularity and shift the focus towards reduction, reuse, and systemic change. | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Joint call to protect the integrity of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation | | | Measuring up – first edition of ZWE’s municipal manual for circular textile systems | | | |
| EU Bioeconomy Strategy has potential but misses key opportunities says Zero Waste Europe | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| The Circulation Room – a reflection on ultra-fast fashion and sharing | | | #MeetTheTeam – Anna Garstka, Human Resources Officer | | | |
| “We need political momentum to launch the best Deposit Return System in the shortest possible time” | | FORESIGHT Climate & Energy: Waste-to-energy’s carbon pricing dilemma, featuring Janek Vähk | | | Insights from the IV Zero Waste Estonian Conference: what facilitators and participants highlighted | | | |
| |
| |
| Want to collaborate with us?
| |
| |
| |
Do you want to collaborate with ZWE and its extended network, and contribute to a truly circular economy? Check out our current opportunities for collaboration: - Call for Proposals – ZWE is seeking a contractor to provide website hosting and maintenance/update services for its website, zerowasteeurope.eu. The contract will have a duration of three years, running from 1 January 2026 and valid until 31 December 2028. Deadline: 10 December 2025
Apply here ➜
- Open vacancies in projects and comms – Our Netherlands-based member Fair Resource Foundation (FRF) is hiring two new colleagues to their team, including a Project Officer in financial admin and project support, and a Communications Lead with a focus on campaigns. Fluent command of Dutch and English required.
Deadline: 30 November for Project Officer and 1 December for Comms Officer
Apply here ➜
| |
| |
| |
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. | |
| |
| |
| |
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
