ZWE is the European network of communities, local leaders, experts and change agents working towards a better use of resources and the elimination of waste in our society. It advocates for sustainable systems; for the redesign of our relationship with resources; and for a global shift towards environmental justice, accelerating a just transition towards zero waste for the benefit of people and the planet.
The network now includes 35 members from 28 European countries and works with topics across the whole chain, from product design to reusability to end-of-pipe waste management solutions, and from the phase-out of plastics to waste trade and municipal zero waste strategies.
Part of its work is done in Brussels, influencing European legislation from product design to waste disposal.
The City of Turin is financing some circular-economy oriented projects, among them the Balon Marketplace, an e-commerce portal for stakeholders who are active in the antiques, second-hand, vintage and reuse sectors, for a sustainable consumption of goods with a high cultural and heritage value. The portal aims to share ancient and past know-how and skills by promoting handycrafts shops.
The Treottouno Social Cooperative of Forlì (Italy) is committed to the implementation of circular economy systems where everything can be recycled, both goods/waste and people.
The European Circular Cities Declaration is designed to help accelerate the transition from a linear to a circular economy in Europe, and thereby create a resource-efficient, low-carbon and socially responsible society.
It aims to:
Allow local and regional governments across Europe to communicate their commitment to supporting the circular transition.
Provide a shared vision of what a “circular city” is.
Underline the critical role which local and regional governments need to play in making this transition happen.
Establish a network of committed organisations to share their experiences, challenges and successes.
For more information on the declaration, please click here.
Pollution caused by incorrect packaging of waste is a serious problem. It can be addressed by designing products that are easier to recycle and by investing in collection and recycling systems. Establishing these kinds of systems requires a strong coordination body, backed up by transparent and stable sources of funding.
Experience suggests that the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) can have significant potential to achieve a range of policy objectives. The EPR Toolbox contains detailed information about EPR and provides an introduction to a number of distinct issues.
Rigiocattolo collects used toys, regenerates and puts them back into circulation. Its ambition is to become a bigger and renowed re-use centre that can also offer people a decent job.
