Repair & ReuseViennaAustria: legal mandate for reusable containers at public eventsThree Austrian states where single-use is no longer legal at events In Salzburg, Upper Austria (Oberösterreich), and Vienna, there are legally binding requirements for reusable food and beverage containers at public events: Salzburg above 600 visitors, Upper Austria above 300, and Vienna above 1,000. Zero Waste Austria supports municipalities and event organisers in meeting these requirements and advocates for the obligation to be expanded to additional states. What the mandate covers - Reusable cups, plates, and food containers must be used for on-site catering at events above the threshold - Single-use alternatives must be replaced or offset by a reuse system - Zero Waste Austria provides guidance on compliant reuse systems and supplier contacts - The trend toward reusable cups is growing even in states without a legal obligation How to engage - Event organisers in Salzburg, Upper Austria, and Vienna: ensure your event catering uses a reusable system above the visitor threshold: contact Zero Waste Austria for a list of system providers - Event organisers in other Austrian states: adopt reuse voluntarily as the trend grows: the legal obligation in three states is making reuse the expected standard nationally - Advocates: push your state government to adopt a similar mandate: the three-state model provides a template Why it matters Legal mandates create level playing fields: no event organiser is disadvantaged for going reusable when everyone is required to. Austria's three-state approach is building the market for reuse infrastructure at scale. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Zero Waste Austria: Verein westwinkel - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionreuseeventspolicymehrwegmandate
CommunityViennaGraz "(Zero) Waste in the City?": civic dialogue between activism and urban agendaA panel that brought zero waste into the policy conversation In September 2024, Zero Waste Austria participated in a panel discussion in Graz: "(Zero) Waste in the City? Between Activism and Urban Agenda", organised by the Waste in Motion (WiM) research network. The panel brought together experts from WiM, representatives of the City of Graz, Zero Waste Austria, and Katja Sres from Ekologi Brez Meja (Slovenia): one of the strongest Zero Waste Europe member organisations. The format is designed to be replicable in other Austrian cities. What the panel discussion format provides - A structured dialogue between zero waste advocates, researchers, and city officials - Cross-border learning: Slovenia's experience via Ekologi Brez Meja adds an EU best-practice dimension - A public record that zero waste is a legitimate part of urban policy discourse in Graz - A template that other Austrian cities can use to host similar panels with city council involvement How to engage - Austrian municipalities and research institutions: contact Zero Waste Austria or the Waste in Motion research network to organise a similar panel in your city - Activists and civil society: use the Graz format as a model for connecting with local researchers and city officials: the research network provides academic legitimacy - Students and academics: engage with the Waste in Motion network and connect zero waste scholarship to local policy advocacy Why it matters Zero waste needs a seat at the urban policy table, not just protest outside it. The Graz panel brought advocates, researchers, and city officials into one room, a replicable format for turning activism into municipal agenda. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Zero Waste Austria: Verein westwinkel + Waste in Motion (WiM) research network + City of Graz - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionadvocacyeducationpolicycivic-dialogueGraz
EnergyViennaBalcony Solar NetworkBulk-buy balcony solar with your neighbours Connect with people in your building to research plug-in panels, share installation tips, and negotiate group discounts where subsidies exist. What you can do - Host a roof or courtyard info session with a local installer or energy cooperative - Compare balcony kits and grid-connection rules for your municipality - Split delivery and mounting help across households on the same facade Why it matters Collective buying lowers cost and fear of the unknown: the fastest path from “someone should do solar” to panels actually humming.solarenergycollectivezero-waste
ViennaDate TBDSt. Valentin: mobile dishwasher loaned to local events (1,000 participants)A municipal dishwasher that travels to every local event The municipality of St. Valentin (Lower Austria) purchased a mobile dishwashing unit in 2023: two commercial dishwashers on a trailer: capable of serving events with up to 1,000 participants. The unit is loaned to local event organisers, providing not just washing capacity but also reusable dishware for the event. It has been frequently hired since purchase and has made reusable systems the practical default for events in the municipality. Where - St. Valentin, Lower Austria (approximate pin at municipality centre) How to participate - St. Valentin event organisers: contact the municipality to book the mobile dishwasher for your event: ask about the dishware package included - Other Lower Austria municipalities: contact Zero Waste Austria for guidance on the St. Valentin model and how to acquire or share similar equipment through an inter-municipal arrangement - Advocates in states without reuse mandates: use St. Valentin as the proof that municipally owned dishwasher infrastructure is affordable and popular: equipment cost pays for itself in event catering savings Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Municipality of St. Valentin + Zero Waste Austria: Verein westwinkel - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th edition
ViennaDate TBDWieden Solar CollectiveBalcony solar bulk-buy info session Compare plug-in kits, subsidies, and installation help with neighbours on the same block. When & where - Quarterly evening meet-up (recurring pattern, contact via building chat) - Wieden courtyard or rooftop common room, map pin approximate
