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
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
