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In this December edition, we celebrate how our movement turns commitments into action, highlighted by our new #ForkToFarm case study on community-led bio-waste pilots in Montenegro. As we look toward building more success stories on the ground in 2026, please consider supporting our work this season.
Happy holidays from the Zero Waste Europe team!
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| Support our work to create a zero waste Europe | |
This December, use your gift of generosity to create change. What started as a "crazy idea from grassroots activists" is now a movement transforming communities across Europe.
From supporting cities in their zero waste transitions to advocating for ambitious EU policies and helping businesses embrace reuse... Our work is about creating a fairer, more circular future for everyone in Europe and beyond. We do it because we believe in healthy communities and a healthy planet – and because people like you believe in us.
If you believe in a zero waste Europe, consider supporting our work. You can use the QR code on the image or click here. Every single donation helps us keeping fighting for a zero waste future.
Happy holidays – and thank you! | |
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| New case study: how #ForkToFarm supports Montenegro's environmental transition through bio-waste management | |
Over the last two years, a dedicated team of activists, volunteers, and citizens has worked together to further Montenegro's transition towards zero waste, taking a shot at one of the country's largest waste challenges: landfilling of organics. In 2024, an estimated 91% of all treated municipal waste was sent to landfill, 40% of which was bio-waste, a management gap that has a huge negative impact on landfill methane.
With the support of the #ForkToFarm project, Zero Waste Montenegro has worked together with communities in Podgorica, Danilovgrad, Tuzi, Kotor, and beyond to set up home and community composting models, support municipal pilots, and demonstrate practical ways to divert bio-waste. These efforts have helped translate national commitments into real change on the ground, offering replicable, community-centred approaches.
We've documented it all in our new interactive case study, which combines data and qualitative analysis with video interviews, photos, and animated illustrations.
You can explore the dynamic version via the link below (but if you prefer a printable or 'traditional' case study, you can access that here). | |
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| Upcoming study and webinar: the case of Extended Producer Responsibility for food products | |
Europeans generate an average of 130 kg of food waste every year. Much of this waste could be prevented, and what is not prevented should be separately collected to return nutrients to the European soils, as stipulated by the EU's Waste Framework Directive (WFD). However, less than 1/4 of food waste is separately collected, and without funding for prevention and separate collection, it is unlikely to increase.
In our upcoming study and subsequent webinar on 21 January, Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC and ZWE will explore how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for food products could help cofinance the prevention and collection of food waste to meet EU targets while improving European soil health. | |
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| Polish Zero Waste Association: Less things, more joy – celebrating the holidays, zero waste-style | |
As we prepare for the festive season, our member Polish Zero Waste Association is reminding us that the most magical part of the holidays isn’t what’s under the tree, but the celebration of being together.
While December is a time for joy, it also carries a heavy environmental price tag. In this month alone, the amount of waste we produce increases by 30%. To help us shift from consumption to connection, the team has shared their Zero Waste Holiday Guide, encouraging us to take small but impactful steps: - Swap the mall for a walk: focus on experiences and quality time rather than material gifts.
- Mindful munching: buy only what you need to prevent food waste.
- Sustainable sparkle: move away from plastic decorations that end up in landfills after one season.
- Wrap with care: rethink your packaging to help reduce the millions of tonnes of paper and plastic discarded every year.
Whether it’s reducing your carbon footprint or simply choosing one small change, remember: Less things, more joy. | |
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ZERO: 10 years of Portuguese zero waste action | | This month, we are celebrating a milestone for our Portuguese member, ZERO, who officially turned 10! Since its founding on 2 December 2015, ZERO has been a committed voice in the European zero waste movement, working to put sustainability at the heart of public policy and inspiring citizens to embrace real change in their daily lives. To mark this decade of action, the organisation hosted an anniversary event on 3 December in Lisbon: Ten Years of ZERO: A Decade for the Future. The gathering brought together experts, academics, and civil society representatives not just to look back at the progress made since 2015, but to engage in vital debates about the transformations needed for the decade ahead. From advocating for fairer policies to respecting the balance of our planet, ZERO’s commitment remains as strong today as it was on day one. | | GAIA: Navigating the EV battery transition with fairness | | As the world shifts toward renewable energy, managing the lifecycle of electric vehicle (EV) batteries is critical. To support communities in this transition, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) has launched new resources to ensure local health and safety come first. These essential tools include a community guide to EV battery recycling to help citizens understand the risks of proposed local facilities, alongside a recorded information session where experts like Dr. Paul Connett unpack the impacts of battery shredding. GAIA’s new policy spotlight explores why strong frameworks for second-life batteries are vital for a fair and efficient energy transition. Together, these resources empower local movements to demand transparency and ensure the road to zero emissions is safe for everyone.
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| Transposing textiles EPR: the EU state of play in 2025 | | | European Reuse Barometer – 2025 edition | | | |
| #ForkToFarm factsheets: 2 years of local action on bio-waste separation and composting | | | Krk's journey to zero waste | | | |
| Zero Waste Europe raises concerns about Environmental Omnibus | | | |
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| #MeetTheTeam – Solène Fargeix, Business Development Manager at the Mission Zero Academy | | | |
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| Want to collaborate with us?
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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: - Head of Operations (maternity cover) – ZWE's is looking for a maternity cover to lead on its human resources, financial, legal, and organisational development. You will work closely with other senior staff and the Executive Director and will be supported by our incredible Operations team.
Deadline: 5 January 2026
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| Happy holidays from Zero Waste Europe!
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Thank you for being with us throughout this year (and all the years before).
We hope you have a relaxing and peaceful break, and we will see you back in January 2026!
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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 © 2025 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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