CommunityPodgoricaCleanupMontenegro: 725 volunteers, 13 municipalities, 5 tonnes removedFrom 18 to 40 organisations in a single year CleanupMontenegro is a national cleanup network coordinated by Zero Waste Montenegro, spanning 40 organisations and informal groups across 13 municipalities. In September 2024, the network mobilised 725 volunteers across 22 cleanup events: from coastline to mountain: removing nearly 5 tonnes of waste. The network doubled in size from 2023 to 2024, reflecting growing community appetite for organised environmental action. What CleanupMontenegro offers participants - Organised cleanup events from coastal beaches to mountain trails: something for every terrain and interest - Equipment provision (gloves, bags, sorting guidance) so no prior experience is needed - A growing community of environmental volunteers across 13 municipalities - Follow-up data reporting that makes the cleanup's impact visible and shareable How to engage - Montenegro residents: follow Zero Waste Montenegro for the next CleanupMontenegro week announcement (usually September) - Organisations: join the CleanupMontenegro network by contacting Zero Waste Montenegro - Municipalities: host a cleanup event in your territory: the network provides logistics support Why it matters Cleanup networks that grow from 18 to 40 organisations in one year are building lasting civic infrastructure. Montenegro's CleanupMontenegro demonstrates that a zero waste movement can scale through peer-to-peer network growth rather than top-down institutional mandate. 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 Montenegro - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editioncleanupvolunteersnetworknationalcoastal
CommunityWarsawPoland national Deposit Return System: launching October 2025Five years of advocacy, one national system After five years of sustained advocacy by the Polish Zero Waste Association, Poland's national Deposit Return System (DRS) is launching on 1 October 2025. The system will apply to beverage containers: bottles, cans, and cartons: across all retail points. For communities and municipalities, the launch creates both infrastructure (return machines, collection logistics) and a cultural shift toward thinking of packaging as something that goes back, not into the bin. What the DRS means for residents - A deposit paid at purchase is refunded when you return the container at a registered return point - Return machines will be installed at supermarkets and retail locations across the country - Manufacturers, retailers, and the state share responsibility under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) How to engage - Polish residents: return your beverage containers from October 2025 at the nearest registered return point: your deposit is waiting - Retailers: follow the official DRS operator guidance on installing return machines in time for the October launch - Municipalities: contact Polish Zero Waste Association for support preparing residents for the DRS launch with education campaigns Why it matters Poland's DRS is proof that persistent, evidence-based advocacy works. After five years, the system is real. It sets a precedent for EPR policy in Poland and demonstrates the path to other advocates working on similar legislation in CEE countries. 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 - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editiondeposit-returnpackagingpolicyDRSnational
