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
Food & GardenCologneGet a Biotonne: close the compost loopThe simplest “zero waste” win in Cologne About 40% of what lands in the grey residual bin is compostable organic waste. In Niehl it is burned: costing money, CO₂, and fertile matter that could return to parks and gardens as torffreier Kölner Kompost. What you can do - Ask your landlord for the free brown Biotonne (tenants can use Zero Waste Köln’s postcard template on their project page). - Line the bin with newspaper, keep it in the shade, and skip “compostable” plastic bags: they need industrial conditions Cologne’s plants do not offer. - Buy Kölner Kompost or Blumenerde from AWB/AVG outlets (the Verein advocates more neighbourhood pick-up points). Why it matters Separate bio collection has been mandatory in Germany since 2015, but Cologne households still need to request the bin. Less bio in residual waste can mean a smaller (cheaper) grey bin. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Facts and advocacy: Biotonne & Kompost · Collection rules: AWB Köln · Organiser: Zero Waste Köln e.V.compostcircularlocal
Repair & ReuseLeipzigAllerlei to go: reusable takeaway in LeipzigMehrweg statt Einweg beim Mitnehmen When hunger strikes on the go, single-use cups and boxes still dominate: yet one reusable cup can replace hundreds of disposables over its lifetime. Since January 2023, food businesses in Germany must fill customer-owned containers; larger venues often run deposit return systems. What the project does - Together with BUND Leipzig, Stadtreinigung supports cafés and food shops in the city centre, Georg-Schumann-Straße, and Mockau to set up reusable systems. - Customer awareness campaigns and a prize scheme highlight standout Mehrweg pilots. - Builds on Leipzig’s Zero-Waste strategy and the federal “Zukunftsfähige Innenstädte” programme. How you can act today - Bring a thermos mug and lunch box; ask venues to fill them. - Choose partners that display Mehrweg options; nominate engaged businesses for recognition. Why it matters Reusable takeaway cuts single-use mountains in busy shopping streets, one cup can replace hundreds of disposables. 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: Allerlei to go · Organisers: Stadtreinigung Leipzig & BUND Leipzig · Programme: Mein Leipzig schon ich mirreusefoodlocal
Food & GardenKielRescue food and cook with what you haveSmarter shopping: less waste Kiel treats edible food as too valuable for the bin. The city supports fair sharing, better storage habits, and partnerships that keep surplus from shops, canteens, and cruise terminals reaching neighbours instead of incinerators. What you can do - Plan meals with a shopping list or weekly menu; buy soft fruit and veg only a day or two before use. - Store items in the right fridge zone; use senses before best-before dates; freeze leftovers in portions. - Join Foodsharing Kiel e.V. (about 650 volunteers and 93 partner businesses); try the interactive Zero Waste fridge at the Nachhaltigkeitszentrum. - Put cooked and uncooked food scraps in the Biotonne, never down the drain or in residual waste. Why it matters Kiel was named a Foodsharing Stadt in November 2024. A late-2024 cruise-ship pilot with Seehafen Kiel and Tafel Kiel redirected more than 700 kg of bread, fruit, and vegetables across six landings. 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: Lebensmittel retten · Household hub: Zero Waste Haushalte · Programme hub: Zero.Waste.City Kielfoodsharinglocal
Repair & ReuseKielChoose Mehrweg for food and drinks to goReusable containers beat single-use minutes Since January 2023, German law requires reusable options for takeaway food and drinks. Kiel’s Kiel geht Mehrweg campaign highlights cafés, canteens, and events that lend returnable cups and boxes. The city’s Kaffee geht Mehrweg deposit-cup network started in 2019 with more than 100 outlets. How to participate - Ask for a Mehrweg container at the counter; return it washed so it can loop again. - Bring your own cup or lunch box when a venue has no deposit system yet. - On public land, events must serve food and drinks in reusable packaging under the updated ABK waste bylaw. - For large gatherings, hire Die Spülbar Kiel for on-site dishwashing and pooled tableware. Why it matters Kiel uses roughly 22,000 disposable cups per day. Reuse cuts landfill and litter while keeping takeaway affordable when deposit systems are free for customers. 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: Kiel geht Mehrweg · Trade & events hub: Gewerbe, Handel & Eventsreusefoodlocal
CommunityKielRefill your bottle at city Refill stationsTap water beats disposable plastic Kiel hosts 30+ Refill stations, look for the blue droplet sticker. Municipal buildings including the Nachhaltigkeitszentrum and Zentralbücherei participate; the health office advises new hosts on water quality checks. How to participate - Carry a bottle; fill at participating cafés, offices, and cultural venues listed on the Refill map (e.g. Refill Deutschland / Karte von Morgen). - Ask your workplace or favourite shop to join via umwelthygiene@kiel.de. Why it matters Tap-water refills skip disposable plastic bottles, a habit anyone can start with one reusable bottle. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Background: Zero Waste News: Refill · Programme: Zero.Waste.City Kielrefillwaterlocal
CommunityMunichHelp Munich become a Zero Waste CityCircular Munich in practice Since July 2020 the city council tasked AWM to develop a Zero Waste concept with residents, businesses, and departments. Munich aims to cut roughly 720,000 tonnes of annual household waste and keep resources in use. What you can do - Join workshops and stakeholder sessions on the AWM project page - Start with one habit this week: repair, reuse, or better sorting Three pillars - Zero-Waste lifestyle: mindful consumption in everyday life - Zero-Waste economy: cleaner production and processes - Zero-Waste administration: municipal operations lead by example Why it matters A million-tonne waste cut needs everyone, residents, businesses, and city hall, pulling toward the same circular habits. 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: Zero Waste City München · AWM projects index: Projektezero-wasteadvocacylocal
Repair & ReuseMunichPrepare for Munich’s Gelbe Tonne (from 2027)Packaging recycling at the kerb Munich collects too little lightweight packaging at Wertstoffinseln compared with other cities. From 2027 a Gelbe Tonne for plastics, metals, and composites will roll out city-wide, financed by dual systems, not household waste fees. What residents can do now - Sort packaging cleanly in existing yellow systems in pilot districts. - Follow AWM updates on rollout timelines and FAQs. Pilot context Since January 2024 five districts tested Gelbe Tonne, Wertstofftonne, and Gelber Sack variants; council chose Gelbe Tonne in July 2025 based on scientific evaluation. Why it matters Kerbside packaging collection catches what many households still miss at remote Wertstoffinseln. 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: Gelbe Tonne · Pilot details: Pilotversuch Gelbe Systemerecyclingpackaginglocal
Repair & ReuseMunichDrop bulk waste at a WertstoffhofFree responsible disposal for households Munich’s 12 Wertstoffhöfe accept household bulky waste and recyclables in everyday quantities, up to 2 m³ bulky waste per resident per day at no charge. What you can do - Visit one of Munich's 12 Wertstoffhöfe with household bulky waste and recyclables (up to 2 m³ per resident per day, free) - Prefer weekdays; Saturdays can be very busy (short-notice closures possible) Tips - Prefer weekdays; Saturdays can be very busy (short-notice closures possible). - Good-condition items may continue to Halle 2 instead of landfill. Why it matters Free responsible disposal keeps bulky and tricky recyclables out of illegal dumping and residual bins. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Locations: Wertstoffhöfe · AWM: Projekterecyclingwastelocal
EnergyTallinnHelp Tallinn reach climate neutralityClimate-neutral city by design Tallinn’s green transformation puts climate neutrality at the centre: compact urban space, cleaner energy in buildings, and a shift to sustainable transport and circular resource use across the whole city. What you can do - Choose walking, cycling, or transit for everyday trips; support district energy-efficiency programmes where you live. - Join public consultations on climate and mobility plans linked from the strategy site. Why it matters Neighbourhood-level habits add up when the city also upgrades buildings, transit, and waste systems toward net-zero goals. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Strategy theme: Green transformation, climate-neutral cityclimateenergylocal
CommunityFrankfurtRiedberg reuse & neighborhood clean-upLitter walk plus reuse table for your estate Bundle a Saturday clean-up with a reuse corner, tools, toys, and housewares get a second stop before anything is discarded. What you can do - Join actions via Klimaschutz-Initiative Riedberg - Coordinate with cleanffm for gloves, bags, and sorting guides - Invite your housing cooperative to host the reuse table after the walk Why it matters Cleaning up together builds pride in shared space, and reuse tables prove that “rubbish” often still has a neighbour who needs it. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Programme hub: Zero Waste Frankfurt · Klimaschutz-Initiative Riedberg · cleanffmcleanupreuselocal
CommunityTallinnSupport green innovation in TallinnSmart solutions for climate and daily life The strategy promotes eco-innovation and smart tools that cut climate impact, help adaptation, and make the living environment healthier. Examples include reclaimed-material bus shelters and energy-efficiency upgrades in municipal buildings. What you can do - Try local repair, sharing, and refill pilots; give feedback to organisers. - Back citizen-led green startups and district innovation events listed on the city strategy site. Why it matters Local repair, sharing, and green pilots turn strategy promises into tools residents can try this month. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Strategy field: Green transformation, business environmentinnovationstartupslocal
