Zero Waste Europe

EU Legislative Interests

Our work at the EU level focuses on making the bridge between zero waste practices at the local level and its transposition to EU wide legislation. We foster the transition to a zero waste Europe by creating the enabling conditions in terms of policy; regulations; financial drivers; implementing zero waste solutions on the ground; and organising and mobilising other groups inside and outside the organisation, initiating coalitions to further promote our narrative. ZWE is involved in the transposition of waste directives, including waste package (waste framework directive, the Landfill directive, ecodesign) and single-use plastics legislation (such as the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and the Sustainable Products initiative) but also product, energy and toxics & health policies (FCM regulation, Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability). ZWE is also working on climate policies such as EU 2050 climate strategy, Renewable Energy Directive, EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomies. ZWE works on other issues as a member of the international network GAIA but these activities don't fall under the register.

Communication Activities

Throughout 2025, we have consistently and successfully implemented our objective of regular rollout of content on the ZWE website. This was achieved through the publication of engaging blog posts, insightful publications, and impactful press releases. Total numbers: - 14 reports - 4 factsheets - 3 studies - 3 policy briefings - 2 blueprints Key publications and moments: - Towards resource autonomy - proposals for a Circular Economy ACT (report) - Circular Economy Act - policy recommendations (position paper) - Direct participation in the Critical Raw Materials Week, with ZWE’s Director Esra Tat speaking on a panel on “Critical raw materials in circular motion: EU Actions, Global insight, Industry innovation” - Launch of the Mission Zero Academy ‘’Mission Makers’’ video series, with Zero Waste Candidate/Certified Cities and Businesses talking about the impact and importance of transitioning to zero waste. - Montenegro Case Study - Barcelona Case Study - 5th edition of the State of Zero Waste Municipalities Report - A Blueprint for Movement Building - Meet the Team interviews - Dorota, Giulia, JM, Nathan, Anna G, Solene - Incorporation of the Zero Waste Cities Hub within the ZWE website, ending the 2-websites era - Videos of NWG 2025 and of the UMI events in Brussels Key numbers - 43 media mentions of Zero Waste Europe in articles aligned with our definition of strategic use of materials. - 34 member stories/practices featured in 9 ZWE publications (the SZWM report is included) - 10 blogs by members on the ZWE website (24% of all blogs compared to 17% in 2024) - 7 members' quotes featured in ZWE press releases The full list of 2025 Members’ Victories can be found on the ZWE website: https://zerowasteeurope.eu/impact/members-victories/

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

ZWE is part of: - GAIA international: https://www.no-burn.org/who-we-are/ - ECOS: https://ecostandard.org/member/zero-waste-europe/ - ZWIA: https://zwia.org/zero-waste-organizations/ - IPEN: https://ipen.org/

Organisation Members

ZWE creates a space for its member organisations to work together, grow, build their capacity and expertise, and empower them to bring systemic change to move Europe towards zero waste. In order to push forward change, it is crucial that we continue to build the capacity and expertise of ZWE members, facilitate a space for creation and implementation of transformational campaigns that are brought to life by members and implemented together. Zero Waste Europe connects and supports a vibrant network of 39 local and national NGOs from all around Europe sharing common values and objectives and working together for a zero waste future. More info here: https://zerowasteeurope.eu/the-movement/our-network/ Our goal is to ensure a strong, connected, healthy and sustained network with a wider reach and impact, where members are more connected to the whole network (with ZWE and with each other) through increased collaboration and ownership of vision, strategies & campaigns/projects and with a deeper sense of community rooted in care & solidarity. We also seek to increase members' knowledge & financial resilience to strengthen their ability and capacity to influence change nationally through policy work, implementations of solutions, influencing the narrative and working with other movements.

Additional Information

Zero Waste Europe's income also comes from Donations (850€), Membership fees (19 300€), Event participation incl. speaker fees (2 800€). We are in the process of closing the 2025 financial year and our audited accounts will be available as of March 2026. More info on our funding here: https://zerowasteeurope.eu/about/our-funding/ Our annual accounts published on BNB are available here: https://consult.cbso.nbb.be/consult-enterprise/0597908295