CommunityCologneWalk Cologne with the Zero Waste SchweifA playful city stroll: you choose the time Grab the Schweif booklet and one to four friends, then wander your Kiez with small tasks that help you spot waste, reuse, and resources in everyday streets. No tour guide: you set the pace. How it works - Pick up a booklet at partner cafés, unverpackt shops, or Zero Waste Köln info stands (hours vary by location). - Work through quizzes and observation prompts designed in Cologne, usable in any urban neighbourhood. - Optional deep-dive facts on the project page after you have tried the riddles yourself. Why it matters Cologne burns roughly 2,000 tonnes of waste every day; the Schweif turns that abstract number into curiosity about what we throw away and what could stay in the loop. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Project and pick-up map: Zero Waste Schweif · Organiser: Zero Waste Köln e.V.walkingeducationlocal
CommunityCologneBring Zero Waste into schoolsEducation as a lever for less waste Zero Waste Köln works in schools and out-of-school settings so young people learn separation, avoidance, and circular thinking: not guilt, but practical habits. Current offers - Bildungskoffer (in development with Universität Köln): a lending kit on waste, avoidance, and sorting for primary schools. - Schulausstellung “Zero Waste Parcours”: travelling exhibition formats (see project pages for availability). - Public talks and VHS evenings listed on the calendar. For teachers and parents Reach Team Schule/Bildung via bildung@zerowastekoeln.de for visits, materials, and volunteering (pedagogy helpful, not required). Why it matters Young people who learn separation and avoidance early carry those habits into adulthood, multiplying impact across households. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Bildungsarbeit · Bildungskoffer · Organiser: Zero Waste Köln e.V.educationschoolscologne
CommunityLeipzigLearn waste avoidance with AG AbfallVolunteer ambassadors for a cleaner city AG Abfall is a group of Leipzig volunteers working on waste reduction, correct sorting, and mindful consumption: joy and practicality, not shame. What they offer - Instagram updates on clean-ups, climate events, and avoidance tips - Workshops including the „Verpackungsampel“: which packaging can be reused or recycled, and what must not go in the bio bin (including misleading „bio“ plastics) - „Einmal Ohne, Bitte“ support for shops helping customers bring reusable containers Their motto The best waste is the waste that never appears; what remains should flow back into the circular economy. Why it matters Volunteer ambassadors turn dry sorting rules into neighbour-to-neighbour habits people actually remember. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Project page: AG Abfall · Programme: Mein Leipzig schon ich mireducationvolunteersorting
CommunitySkiathosCoastal zero waste tourism: how dayboats can protect remote beachesSkiathos shows that tourist operators can lead on waste The Zero Waste Rota programme, developed by ECOREC and the Municipality of Skiathos, trains dayboat operators to actively educate tourists about proper waste disposal: including at remote beaches that are inaccessible by road and therefore lack collection infrastructure. The programme measurably increased recycling rates on the island and fostered a culture of environmental responsibility among visitors. What the programme involves - Dayboat operators receive training on waste separation and guest communication - Tourists are briefed on board before reaching remote beaches about what to do with packaging and recyclables - Operators bring separated waste back to port for collection: protecting beaches that cannot be serviced by standard vehicles - The approach is scalable to any island with a dayboat economy Why it matters Greece's Aegean islands face intense seasonal waste from marine tourism. Regulation alone cannot reach a boat at sea or a path-only beach. The Skiathos model shows that education and operator buy-in can do what infrastructure cannot, and it is directly replicable on any island with a similar tourist boat economy. How to replicate it - If you operate or charter boats in the Aegean, contact ECOREC about Zero Waste Rota training - If you visit Greek islands by dayboat, ask whether the operator follows Zero Waste Rota practices: and request it if not - Municipal waste officers on other islands can use the Skiathos programme as a template for ERIC or national funding bids 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 - Zero Waste Rota: Municipality of Skiathos + ECOREC - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editioncoastaltourismrecyclingboatseducation
CommunitySofiaEcoObshtina: Bulgaria's national zero waste municipality competitionThe competition that raised the stakes for Bulgarian local government The EcoObshtina (Eco Municipality) competition is Bulgaria's largest annual award for sustainable municipalities, organised in partnership with the French Embassy. Za Zemiata shapes its evaluation criteria to prioritise measurable waste reduction outcomes: ensuring the competition rewards genuinely impactful programmes over greenwashing. In 2024, both Svilengrad and Gabrovo received the EcoMunicipality award, boosting the visibility of zero waste solutions at the level of national ministries and the National Association of Municipalities. What EcoObshtina does for zero waste - Evaluation criteria designed by Za Zemiata to reward source separation rates, PAYT implementation, and community engagement over less measurable commitments - Award ceremonies provide media coverage that amplifies zero waste success stories nationally - Partnership with the French Embassy brings international credibility and comparative benchmarking - Winning municipalities become reference cases for other local authorities to study How to engage - Bulgarian municipalities: apply for the next EcoObshtina cycle: follow Za Zemiata for application deadlines and criteria - Community groups: nominate your municipality for EcoObshtina recognition and document the waste programmes it runs - Policy advocates: use the competition results to name and praise municipalities that are leading: and ask the Ministry why national policy has not yet caught up with local practice Why it matters National awards turn local zero waste wins into stories ministers and neighbouring mayors cannot ignore. When Svilengrad and Gabrovo took EcoMunicipality honours in 2024, they gave every Bulgarian council a visible benchmark, and a reason to aim higher than greenwashing. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Za Zemiata + French Embassy in Sofia + EcoObshtina partners - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionadvocacyawardspolicyeducationmunicipalities
CommunitySofiaBulgaria: zero waste event guide for businesses and organisersA practical guide making sustainable events the easy choice Za Zemiata published a practical zero waste event guide offering concrete advice on hosting low-waste and waste-free events: covering catering, packaging, waste station design, volunteering, and post-event reporting. The guide has been well received by business partners as well as civil society, positioning waste reduction as a competitive advantage rather than an obligation. What the guide covers - Step-by-step instructions for event planners: pre-event, during, and post-event waste management - Catering supplier checklist for single-use plastic alternatives and reusable systems - Waste station layout templates optimised for different event sizes - Communication templates for telling attendees what they can do - Case studies from Bulgarian events that have already adopted zero waste practices How to engage - Event organisers in Bulgaria: download the guide from Za Zemiata and share it with your catering and venue partners - Businesses hosting corporate events: use the guide as a starting point for your sustainability commitments - Municipalities planning public events: contact Za Zemiata for tailored support applying the guide to specific local contexts Why it matters Festivals and corporate gatherings generate concentrated waste in a single weekend. A practical guide lowers the barrier for organisers who want to do better, turning zero waste from a niche commitment into something any venue can plan for. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Za Zemiata - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editioneventseducationreuseguidebusiness
CommunityNicosiaCyprus: festival zero waste certification: leading with eventsFestivals approaching Friends of the Earth Cyprus for zero waste guidance Several Cypriot festivals are proactively approaching Friends of the Earth Cyprus for waste reduction guidance: signalling that the events sector is moving ahead of regulation. FoE Cyprus has developed a festival zero waste certification pathway covering plastic reduction, waste stream analysis, reuse systems, and post-event reporting. What the certification pathway covers - Pre-event: waste audit, supplier requirements, reusable system design - During: waste station placement, sorting guidance for staff and volunteers, data collection - Post-event: waste audit review and public reporting - Certification awarded when the event meets minimum waste reduction benchmarks How to engage - Festival and event organisers in Cyprus: contact Friends of the Earth Cyprus to start the zero waste certification process for your event - Attendees: look for the FoE Cyprus zero waste certification mark at events: and provide feedback to organisers who don't yet have it - Municipalities: hosting certified zero waste events on public land sets a visible standard and builds community appetite for broader policy Why it matters Voluntary certification creates early movers ahead of PAYT regulation. When PAYT eventually arrives in Cyprus, municipalities and event organisers who have already built the habits will adapt faster: and lead the rest. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Friends of the Earth Cyprus - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editioneventscertificationfestivalseducationreuse
Food & GardenWarsaw#ForkToFarm Poland: improving bio-waste collection in three municipalitiesA campaign turning composting from a good idea into a daily habit The Polish Zero Waste Association participates in the #ForkToFarm campaign by Zero Waste Europe, working with three Polish municipalities to improve bio-waste collection rates. The campaign combines practical infrastructure (bins, collection services) with resident education to move organic kitchen waste out of the mixed bin and into the composting stream. What the campaign involves - Working with the three participating municipalities to audit current bio-waste practices - Distributing composting bins and providing set-up guidance to households - Running awareness campaigns explaining what counts as bio-waste and how to compost correctly - Documenting results so the three municipalities can become reference cases for other Polish towns How to engage - Polish residents: check whether your municipality participates in #ForkToFarm and request a bio-waste bin if you don't already have one - Municipalities: apply to the next #ForkToFarm cohort through Zero Waste Europe or contact Polish Zero Waste Association for national programme support - Teachers and community leaders: run a bio-waste workshop using the #ForkToFarm materials: Zero Waste Association can provide resources in Polish Why it matters Kitchen scraps are the easiest fraction to divert, yet they still fill mixed bins across Poland. Three municipalities testing #ForkToFarm together can show neighbours that composting is a daily habit, not a pilot novelty. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Polish Zero Waste Association - Campaign: #ForkToFarm by Zero Waste Europe - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editioncompostingbio-wasteForkToFarmmunicipalitieseducation
CommunityKievZaporizhzhia: zero waste community programme: podcast, workshops, local plansBuilding zero waste culture in a city close to the front Zero Waste Zaporizhzhia: a member of the Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine: promotes zero waste principles in the Zaporizhzhia community through local waste management plans, reuse/repair workshops, a podcast, and social media education. The programme deliberately keeps building skills and culture in a city facing severe disruption, demonstrating that zero waste work continues even under wartime conditions. What the programme covers - Local and regional waste management plans developed and submitted to authorities - Reuse and repair workshops open to residents: practical skill-building in mending, fixing, and repurposing - A podcast reaching Zaporizhzhia residents with zero waste content designed for the local context - Social media education campaigns tailored to community needs during the ongoing conflict How to engage - Zaporizhzhia residents: follow Zero Waste Zaporizhzhia on social media and attend workshops when they are running safely - International zero waste networks: amplify Zero Waste Zaporizhzhia's work: visibility and solidarity matter for a team working under difficult conditions - Podcast listeners: find and share the Zero Waste Zaporizhzhia podcast to extend its reach Why it matters Zero waste culture cannot wait for peace. Workshops, podcasts, and local plans keep repair and reuse skills alive in Zaporizhzhia, showing that community-led waste work persists even when cities are under severe disruption. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Editorial note: Zaporizhzhia is located near an active conflict zone. Programme activities depend on local safety conditions. - Lead: Zero Waste Zaporizhzhia + Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine (ZWAU) - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editioneducationpodcastworkshopsreuserepair
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
CommunityKielBook Zero Waste workshops for schoolsHands-on learning: not guilt slides The Umweltschutzamt and ABK run school and Kita workshops on waste sorting, papermaking, e-waste teardown, and neighbourhood Zero Waste walks. Partners include Zero Waste Kiel e.V., Ozeankind, and Verbraucherzentrale SH. What you can do - Book modules such as Papierschöpfen, Was steckt in meinem Handy?, or the Zero Waste Walk starting at the Nachhaltigkeitszentrum (ages 7+ or 12+ depending on module). - Request Umweltschutzamt support for pupil projects on avoidance, fair trade, mobility, or biodiversity. - Help your school earn Kieler KlimaSchulen recognition for year-round environmental projects. Why it matters Practical modules let pupils sort real waste, remake paper, and visit swap and repair spots instead of only reading slides. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Workshop catalogue: Workshops für Schulen und Kitas · Education hub: Bildungseinrichtungeneducationschoolsworkshops
CommunityBelgradeOutdoor science playgrounds for Serbian schoolsClassrooms without walls: nature labs in kindergarten and school yards KidHub and Ekonaut launched Naučna igrališta (Science Playgrounds): an education programme that turns kindergarten and primary-school yards into outdoor learning landscapes. Raised beds, sensory paths, insect hotels, and hands-on experiments replace asphalt-only recreation with living classrooms for children aged four to twelve. What you can do - Educators and parents: support the crowdfunding campaign on Dobri Dabar to fund playgrounds in two kindergartens and two primary schools - Schools with pilot sites in Belgrade: request a visit to see the Mali zeleni prsti (Little Green Fingers) methodology in action - Municipalities: adapt the programme for your district, teacher training, curriculum guides, and built elements ship as a package How it works Teachers attend seminars, receive a practical handbook, and get mentoring while children learn through planting, biodiversity observation, and collaborative experiments in the yard. Why it matters Climate literacy grows best through touch, soil, and play. Outdoor science yards give every child a daily relationship with the living world. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Source: Klima 101 · Article: Campaign for science playgrounds in schools and kindergartens.educationschoolsplaygroundnaturechildren
