CommunityZagrebPRE-KOM door-to-door collection: national leader in northern Croatia14 municipalities, 71 % separate collection PRE-KOM in Prelog operates door-to-door waste collection across 14 municipalities in northern Croatia: Prelog, Goričan, Donji Kraljevec, Sveta Marija, Donji Vidovec, Donja Dubrava, Kotoriba, Belica, Dekanovec, Domašinec, Podturen, Martijanec, Jalžabet, and Pribislavec. The network consistently ranks as Croatia's top performer in separate waste collection, averaging over 71 % and producing fewer than 73 kg of residual waste per resident: well below the national average of 247 kg. What residents do - Sort household waste into the collected fractions at source - Follow the door-to-door schedule provided by PRE-KOM for each street Why it matters In a country where national policy still favours waste-to-energy, these 14 municipalities prove that source separation at the household level works at scale: and that small municipalities can lead a large country. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Waste operator: PRE-KOM, Prelog - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionpaytdoor-to-doorrecyclingmunicipal
CommunityZagrebZagreb Pay-As-You-Throw: fairer billing, less landfillCitizens control their own waste bill Zagreb introduced a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system following recommendations from Zelena Akcija under the EU-funded ERIC (Elevating Reuse In Cities) project. By late 2024 the city had cut landfilling by 20 % and boosted separate collection by 50 % compared to 2022: with full rollout expected by end of 2026. What changed - Open street bins in the city centre replaced with underground containers for separated and mixed waste - Elsewhere, bins relocated into buildings and courtyards; caged and semi-underground containers added - Households charged based on the volume of mixed waste they generate, not a flat fee How to participate - Sort household waste into the correct streams: you directly reduce your bill - Follow Zagreb's city environmental office for updates on PAYT rollout in your district - Support the advocacy to extend door-to-door collection to more neighbourhoods Why it matters PAYT aligns the incentive system: the less mixed waste you produce, the less you pay. Combined with infrastructure improvements, Zagreb is turning around one of Central Europe's larger urban waste footprints. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - ERIC project: Zelena Akcija - ERIC - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionpaytwaste-reductionurbanrecycling
Repair & ReuseZagrebZagreb Plastic Prevention Plan: ban single-use, refill the cityFrom city buildings to hospitality venues Zagreb adopted a Plastic Prevention Plan as part of the ERIC project: one of the most comprehensive municipal plastic policies in the Western Balkans region. The plan bans single-use plastics across all city-owned buildings and institutions and combines that with public infrastructure to make reuse the easy default. Measures already running - New and repaired public drinking-water fountains installed across the city to cut single-use plastic bottle purchases - Single-use plastic items removed from select city-organised events - Support for hospitality businesses switching to reusable packaging What you can do - Use the public refill fountains instead of buying bottled water - Ask event organisers in Zagreb whether the venue is single-use-plastic-free - Talk to your neighbourhood association about advocating for more refill points in your district Why it matters Policy without infrastructure fails. Zagreb pairs the ban with visible reuse alternatives: showing that a city of almost one million can shift habits 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. - ERIC project: Zelena Akcija - ERIC - City waste portal: Zagreb komunalne usluge - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionplasticreuserefillpolicy
CommunityZagrebKrk Island: Europe's first certified Zero Waste island clusterSeven municipalities: one shared model Krk Island became Europe's first certified Zero Waste island when all seven of its municipalities: Krk, Baška, Dobrinj, Malinska-Dubašnica, Omišalj, Punat, and Vrbnik: achieved Zero Waste certification together through the waste company PONIKVE. The result: 60 % average separate collection and only 73 kg of residual waste per resident per year, compared to the Croatian national average of 247 kg. What makes Krk replicable - Door-to-door sorting integrated with the existing island waste system - Joint certification across multiple small municipalities sharing one operator - Farmers and hotels participate in the same collection circuits as households - Ongoing focus on waste prevention and reuse: not just better sorting How to get involved - If your municipality partners with PONIKVE, ask about volunteering in collection or composting - Visit or follow Zelena Akcija to support national Zero Waste certification advocacy Why it matters Krk shows that tourist islands: where seasonal waste peaks are hardest to manage: can still hit Zero Waste targets. The model is already inspiring other coastal communities across Croatia and beyond. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - National coordinator: Zelena Akcija (Friends of the Earth Croatia) - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionislandcertifiedrecyclingcirculardoor-to-door
ZagrebDate TBDVelebit Mountains rewilding landscapeCroatia's wild karst ranges and returning wildlife The Velebit Mountains rewilding landscape spans Adriatic slopes and inland plateaus where lynx, bears, and chamois find refuge in one of Croatia's most dramatic ranges. When & where - Ongoing programme; details: Velebit Mountains - Approximate pin: 44.5000, 15.5000 (Velebit range) How to participate - Hike marked trails with wildlife-sensitive behaviour; hire local guides for multi-day routes - Follow Rewilding Velebit for volunteer and education opportunities Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Source: Velebit Mountains: Rewilding Europe · Organiser: Rewilding Europe / Rewilding Velebit. Photo: Rewilding Europe (all rights reserved; editorial repost).
ZagrebDate TBDZelena Akcija volunteer repair collective: ZagrebBikes, clothes, and small appliances: repaired together Zelena Akcija has run a volunteer bike repair collective in Zagreb for several years. In 2024 they expanded it into a multi-function reuse hub at their office, adding two new collectives: one for clothing repair and one for small household appliance repair: staffed entirely by volunteers. When & where - Recurring repair sessions at the Zelena Akcija office, Zagreb, dates and times on zelena-akcija.hr - Bike, clothing, and small-appliance collectives run on a volunteer schedule; check the website before you visit How to join - Bring your broken bike, garment, or small appliance to a repair session - Volunteer if you have repair skills: the collective always welcomes new fixers Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Organiser: Zelena Akcija (Friends of the Earth Croatia) - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th edition
ZagrebDate TBDPula reuse centre: in development with Zelena AkcijaA circular economy hub for Istria's largest city Zelena Akcija is assisting the city of Pula in establishing a dedicated reuse centre: a venue where residents can drop off, repair, and take home items instead of sending them to landfill or incineration. Pula sits on the Istrian coast and is Croatia's sixth-largest city; a reuse centre here would serve both residents and the significant tourism population. When & where - In development: venue and opening hours not yet confirmed (approximate pin: Pula city centre) - Follow Zelena Akcija for the reuse centre timeline How to follow progress - Check Zelena Akcija for updates on the Pula reuse centre timeline - Contact Pula's environmental office to express public support for the initiative Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Organiser support: Zelena Akcija (Friends of the Earth Croatia) - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th edition
ZagrebDate TBDZagreb reuse centre: city working to open by end of 2026A dedicated venue for reuse in Croatia's capital Zagreb is working to establish a city reuse centre by the end of 2026, as part of its broader circular economy and Plastic Prevention Plan commitments. The centre will allow residents to drop off usable items and take home pre-loved goods: shifting the city from a linear disposal model toward a reuse loop. When & where - Target opening by end of 2026: venue to be announced by ZGOS - Approximate pin: Zagreb city centre until the permanent address is published How to follow progress - Follow Zagreb komunalne usluge (ZGOS) for venue and opening date announcements - Advocate with your city councillor for a reuse centre in your district Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - ERIC project: Zelena Akcija (Friends of the Earth Croatia) - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th edition
