CommunityLuxembourgSanem: mandatory Green Events standard for all municipal eventsOne municipality that made zero waste non-negotiable The municipality of Sanem requires every public event hosted on municipal premises to meet Green Events standards: eliminating single-use packaging at source. The municipality provides event organisers with guidance, reusable dishware, and logistical support, making compliance straightforward rather than burdensome. What Sanem's mandatory standard means in practice - All events on municipal land must submit a sustainability plan and use reusable or approved alternatives - The municipality acts as a service provider, not just a regulator: it lends dishware and connects organisers with the dishwashing facility - Enforcement is paired with support: no organiser is left without a practical reuse option - Other Luxembourg municipalities are now looking to Sanem as a model to adopt in their own event policies How to engage - Sanem residents and organisations: contact the municipality to use the reusable dishware service for your event - Other Luxembourg municipalities: contact Oekozenter Pafendall to learn how to adopt a similar mandatory standard - Event organisers across Luxembourg: ask your municipality whether it will follow Sanem's lead Why it matters Voluntary standards work until they don't. Sanem's mandatory approach removes the competitive disadvantage for organisers who want to go zero waste: everyone operates on the same terms. This is the policy design that makes reuse economically rational. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Municipality of Sanem + Oekozenter Pafendall (OEKO) - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionpolicyeventsreusemandateSanem
Repair & ReuseViennaAustria: legal mandate for reusable containers at public eventsThree Austrian states where single-use is no longer legal at events In Salzburg, Upper Austria (Oberösterreich), and Vienna, there are legally binding requirements for reusable food and beverage containers at public events: Salzburg above 600 visitors, Upper Austria above 300, and Vienna above 1,000. Zero Waste Austria supports municipalities and event organisers in meeting these requirements and advocates for the obligation to be expanded to additional states. What the mandate covers - Reusable cups, plates, and food containers must be used for on-site catering at events above the threshold - Single-use alternatives must be replaced or offset by a reuse system - Zero Waste Austria provides guidance on compliant reuse systems and supplier contacts - The trend toward reusable cups is growing even in states without a legal obligation How to engage - Event organisers in Salzburg, Upper Austria, and Vienna: ensure your event catering uses a reusable system above the visitor threshold: contact Zero Waste Austria for a list of system providers - Event organisers in other Austrian states: adopt reuse voluntarily as the trend grows: the legal obligation in three states is making reuse the expected standard nationally - Advocates: push your state government to adopt a similar mandate: the three-state model provides a template Why it matters Legal mandates create level playing fields: no event organiser is disadvantaged for going reusable when everyone is required to. Austria's three-state approach is building the market for reuse infrastructure 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. - Lead: Zero Waste Austria: Verein westwinkel - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionreuseeventspolicymehrwegmandate
