How municipalities are progressing zero waste strategies

Municipalities around the world are increasingly prioritising prevention, reuse, and repair over recycling, according to a report from Zero Waste Europe (ZWE).

The fifth edition of State of Zero Waste Municipalities Report highlights the shift underway in local waste management.

Zero Waste Cities Certification

Through the projects ZWE coordinates and the Zero Waste Cities Certification, operated by its sister organisation, the Mission Zero Academy, cities covering 18 million inhabitants in Europe are being supported to implement zero waste solutions.

The report showcases many strong examples of zero waste in action. For example, a strong focus on reuse and repair is evident, with Tallinn, achieving a 92 per cent return rate for reusable tableware at city events and establishing more than 10 municipal reuse and repair hubs.

“In these tough times, we are still able to showcase the fact that there are a growing number of municipalities, from Accra to Amsterdam, implementing bold and ambitious local zero waste solutions”

Meanwhile, Komunala Škofja Loka in Slovenia is preventing 23,000 single-use cups with its rental service in 2024. Similarly, Zagreb in Croatia has seen landfilling drop by 20 per cent and separate waste collection rise by 50 per cent, partly due to measures like banning single-use plastics in public buildings and increased door-to-door collection of materials.

“This report aims to be a dossier of hope,” said Jack McQuibban, head of local implementation at Zero Waste Europe. “In these tough times, we are still able to showcase the fact that there are a growing number of municipalities, from Accra to Amsterdam, implementing bold and ambitious local zero waste solutions, proving that progressive environmental action can and must remain top of the agenda.”