CommunityFlorenceCapannori: one of Europe's first certified Zero Waste citiesThe pioneer that showed it could be done Capannori, a municipality of about 45,000 people near Lucca in Tuscany, is one of Europe's first cities to achieve Zero Waste certification. It set out decades ago to prove that a community could dramatically reduce the waste it sends to landfill and incineration: not through technology fixes, but through source separation, reuse, and community involvement. What Capannori built - Door-to-door separate collection as the default for every household - A Zero Waste Research Centre (Centro Capannori Rifiuti Zero) studying product design flaws and advocating for producer responsibility - Composting and textile collection integrated alongside paper, glass, metal, and plastics - Waste reduction targets embedded in municipal planning Why it matters Capannori's model is not a product of wealth or special geography. It is a replicable template: start with ambitious separate collection targets, involve residents early, and redirect waste budget away from disposal toward prevention. The ZWE-certified result inspired dozens of Italian municipalities to follow. How to engage - Visit or contact Zero Waste Italy to learn how Capannori's model can be adapted for your municipality - Follow Capannori's zero waste research centre for publications and advocacy tools 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: Zero Waste Italy (ZWI) - Research centre: Capannori Rifiuti Zero - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editioncertifiedcircularpioneerreplicabledoor-to-door
CommunityTorrelles de LlobregatTorrelles de Llobregat: certified and plastic-free by planA certified Zero Waste city with a binding plastic prevention plan Torrelles de Llobregat, a small ZWE-certified Zero Waste municipality in Catalonia, took its commitments further in 2024 by approving and starting to implement a binding Plastic Prevention Plan: following the same model as candidate city Viladecans. Torrelles also participates in the ERIC project alongside Viladecans, creating a productive pair of municipalities that share tools, funding, and lessons. What Torrelles shows - Small certified municipalities can lead on plastic prevention without large budgets - Certification and plastic prevention planning are complementary: not sequential - The ERIC project provided both the methodology and funding that made the plan viable What you can do - Visit Torrelles as a case study if you are working on Zero Waste strategies in your own municipality - Contact Rezero to access the Torrelles and Viladecans plastic prevention planning tools - Follow the ERIC project for replicable reuse infrastructure models applicable to any small city Why it matters Certified cities that continue innovating: instead of resting on certification: keep the Zero Waste movement credible and dynamic. Torrelles's plan shows that even very small municipalities can set binding plastic reduction targets. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Rezero: rezero.cat - ERIC project: Elevating Reuse In Cities - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editioncertifiedplasticpreventionplaneric
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
CommunityTilosTilos: Greece's first certified Zero Waste islandA small Aegean island that changed the national conversation Tilos, a tiny island of around 800 permanent residents in the South Aegean, became Greece's first Zero Waste certified municipality through the Just Go Zero programme supported by ECOREC and funded by the South Aegean Region. By September 2024 the initiative had diverted approximately 14,600 kg of recyclables from landfill, significantly improving local environmental conditions and building a culture of source separation among residents, businesses, and visitors. What makes Tilos a model - Source separation extended to restaurants, hotels, and catering services - Community participation built through education and close municipal coordination - South Aegean Region funding provided the infrastructure budget, making the model replicable for neighbouring small islands - Certification achieved despite the absence of a local organic waste processing facility: demonstrating that progress is possible even where infrastructure gaps remain Why it matters beyond Tilos Tilos is the proof point the Greek zero waste movement has needed. The island's certification received national media coverage and directly influenced the South Aegean Region's decision to fund continuation: increasing the likelihood that neighbouring islands will follow. In a country planning up to six waste-to-energy plants by 2030, Tilos shows an alternative path that works. How to engage - Visit Tilos and participate in its waste separation culture: tourism revenue supports the programme - Follow ECOREC for the expansion of Just Go Zero to additional Greek islands - Share Tilos's results with local councillors on other Aegean islands as advocacy for similar programmes 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: ECOREC – Ecological Recycling Society - Just Go Zero programme: South Aegean Region / ECOREC / Zero Waste Europe - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editioncertifiedislandrecyclingcirculartourism
