Berlin's Zero Waste Agency: how to be a zero waste hub
Berlin's Zero Waste Agency aims to make Berlin a zero-waste capital.
It is unique in structure and form. The basic idea for it was laid down in the Waste Management Concept 2020-2030 of the State of Berlin under the Zero Waste mission statement. The Agency's work on developing Berlin's circular economy focuses on expanding waste prevention and reuse and promoting sustainable consumption and higher quality recycling. It aims to become the hub of the zero waste movement as well as the first zero waste agency in Germany.
It has been in operation since mid-2023 and has been implementing a wide range of measures and activities ever since. It has been holding Zero Waste Action Weeks in Berlin every year since 2024, with the goal of raising awareness about zero waste and the circular economy throughout Berlin. The Weeks bring together Berlin stakeholders active in the area of resource conservation and the circular economy.
The Agency works with various actors and stakeholders to create synergies, share knowledge and identify leverage and implementation opportunities that will help Berlin become more circular. It organises thematic task forces on issues such as food waste and waste-free events and holds regular stakeholder meetings.
Its website has information about shops selling packaging-free products and circular financing possibilities, along with information on packaging obligations.
- Cross-district cooperation on waste prevention.
- New partnerships and synergies between business, government and civil society.
- Expertise, for example on low-waste events, was communicated in a simple and practical way.
- Zero-waste monitoring provides data on effective measures for resource conservation.
- The annual Zero Waste Action Weeks raise awareness about projects, stakeholders and ideas that keep materials in circulation for longer.
- The 2023-2025 Impact Report includes feedback from the network as well as figures and examples that demonstrate the agency's success