Repair & ReuseMunichHofflohmärkte, neighbourhood courtyard flea marketsBrowse linked tour plans through your Viertel Hofflohmärkte is a Germany-wide reuse programme: residents register a private courtyard, garden, or garage and sell pre-loved goods while neighbours follow a linked tour plan through the district. The platform runs in 30+ cities and 300+ neighbourhoods; initiator René Götz operates registration, participants organise their own courtyards. What you can do - Download the tour plan PDF for your Viertel (published about one week before each market day) - Walk the linked addresses and buy second-hand treasures from neighbours - Register your own Hof if you have landlord approval and goods to pass on How it works - Sales stay on private ground only, not sidewalks or public space - Typical hours: Saturdays 10–16, Sundays 11–16 (Munich also runs selected Friday evenings with M-net sponsorship) - No food sales; private sellers only, professional dealers are not welcome - Registration closes three weeks before each date for tour-plan marking; late sign-ups are accepted but may not appear on the map - Organisers may cancel a date if fewer than 30 courtyards register, fees are then refunded About Hofflohmärkte Neighbours register a private Hof, Garten, or Garage on Hofflohmärkte and sell used goods on scheduled Viertel days. Registered addresses appear on a tour plan published about one week before each date. Sales happen on private ground only. See city pages for local schedules and Spielregeln & Tipps for seller rules. Why it matters Every item re-homed from a courtyard is one less thing bought new or landfilled, and a chance to meet the people who live behind the front doors. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Source: Hofflohmärkte · Rules: Spielregeln & Tipps. Platform operator: René Götz, participants organise their own courtyards.flea marketreuseneighbourhoodcourtyardGermany
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
CommunityViladecansViladecans Plastic Prevention Plan: binding measures already runningA ZW candidate city taking plastic seriously Viladecans, a municipality of 70,000 on the southern edge of Barcelona, is a Zero Waste candidate city and a participant in the EU ERIC (Elevating Reuse In Cities) project alongside Torrelles de Llobregat. In 2024, Viladecans became one of the first Catalan cities to approve and begin implementing a binding Plastic Prevention Plan: a document that commits the municipality to specific, measurable plastic reduction measures already underway. What the plan includes - Reduction of single-use plastics in municipal events and public spaces - Promotion of reusable alternatives for takeaway containers in local hospitality - Procurement criteria requiring plastic-free options for city contracts - Monitoring and annual public reporting on plastic reduction outcomes How to participate - Attend Viladecans municipal events: they are piloting reusable tableware and cup systems - Ask local restaurants and bars about takeaway reuse options promoted under the plan - Follow Rezero for the ERIC project updates on reuse infrastructure in Viladecans Why it matters Binding plans with implementation already started are rare: most cities stop at commitments. Viladecans's plan, combined with its ERIC project participation, makes it one of the most concretely active zero waste cities in Spain right now. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Rezero: rezero.cat - ERIC project: Elevating Reuse In Cities - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionplasticpreventionplanpolicyreuse
Repair & ReuseZagrebZagreb Plastic Prevention Plan: ban single-use, refill the cityFrom city buildings to hospitality venues Zagreb adopted a Plastic Prevention Plan as part of the ERIC project: one of the most comprehensive municipal plastic policies in the Western Balkans region. The plan bans single-use plastics across all city-owned buildings and institutions and combines that with public infrastructure to make reuse the easy default. Measures already running - New and repaired public drinking-water fountains installed across the city to cut single-use plastic bottle purchases - Single-use plastic items removed from select city-organised events - Support for hospitality businesses switching to reusable packaging What you can do - Use the public refill fountains instead of buying bottled water - Ask event organisers in Zagreb whether the venue is single-use-plastic-free - Talk to your neighbourhood association about advocating for more refill points in your district Why it matters Policy without infrastructure fails. Zagreb pairs the ban with visible reuse alternatives: showing that a city of almost one million can shift habits 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. - ERIC project: Zelena Akcija - ERIC - City waste portal: Zagreb komunalne usluge - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionplasticreuserefillpolicy
Repair & ReuseLjubljanaManj je več: Slovenia's Less is More reuse portalDigital platform making reuse easier for everyone Manj je več ("Less is More") is a national digital platform by EBM that helps individuals in Slovenia find practical reuse options: repair services, swap events, sharing networks, and zero-waste shops - all in one place. An updated version is planned for 2025 to make the portal more user-friendly and to add guidance for event organisers implementing reusable tableware. What you can find on the portal - Local repair and upcycling workshops - Reuse and sharing initiatives by region - Tools and guides for reducing single-use items at home and events How to get involved - Use the portal to find reuse options near you: manjjevec.si - If you run a repair or reuse initiative, contact EBM to be listed on the platform Why it matters Behaviour change needs infrastructure and information. Manj je več makes the reuse ecosystem visible and navigable: reducing the friction between intention and action. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Portal: manjjevec.si - Maintained by: Ekologi brez meja (EBM) - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionreuseportaldigitalresources
CommunityLjubljanaLjubljana hotel sector: reuse in hospitality and eventsFrom rooms to banquets: waste prevention in the tourism economy Ekologi brez meja worked with the Ljubljana Tourism Board and city waste operator VOKA SNAGA over two years to bring waste prevention and reuse into the hotel and events sector. The partnership surfaces what the ZWE report calls a systemic gap: hospitality generates high volumes of single-use waste but rarely has a reuse infrastructure to switch to. What the collaboration covers - Shared reusable tableware systems for hotel events and catering - Guidance for venues on reducing single-use room amenities - Pilot reuse programmes for public and private events in Ljubljana How to get involved - If you organise or attend events in Ljubljana, ask venues whether they offer reusable alternatives - Hotel guests can ask about refillable amenity dispensers instead of single-use toiletries - Follow VOKA SNAGA for city-level waste prevention updates Why it matters Ljubljana hosts millions of visitors per year. Embedding reuse in the hospitality sector shifts waste prevention from individual choice to city-scale default. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - City waste operator: VOKA SNAGA - Tourism board: Visit Ljubljana - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionhotelstourismreuseevents
CommunityMexico CityLearn from zero waste municipalities across MexicoJalisco to Baja California: replicable pilots Mexico’s zero-waste momentum spans states and municipalities, including Jalisco, Apaxco, and Baja California programmes cited in the 2025 regional report. GAIA members help local governments design reuse, source segregation, and organics systems instead of defaulting to conventional waste contracts. What you can do - Ask your municipal environmental office whether a zero-waste diagnostic or segregated organics pilot exists locally. - Connect neighbourhood groups with GAIA Mexico partners for training on compost and recycler inclusion. Why it matters Curiosity and political determination, not expensive end-of-pipe contracts, are what the report celebrates as the region’s leading edge. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Report chapter: Zero Waste Europe: Latin America & the Caribbean (5th ed.) · Regional hub: GAIA Latin America & the Caribbeanmunicipalcompostreuse
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
CommunityBrusselsBrussels zero waste events action planMaking every public event in Brussels waste-free Zero Waste Belgium developed a comprehensive strategic action plan for zero waste events across Brussels: covering event logistics, supplier requirements, reuse system specifications, and transition guidance for organisers. The plan, built from extensive research and cross-city case studies, is designed for full implementation in 2025. What the plan covers - Reuse requirements for cups, plates, and food packaging at public events - Case studies from cities across Europe that have already mandated zero waste events - Legal framework summary so event organisers understand their obligations - Practical tools and templates for municipalities and venue managers How to engage - Event organisers in Brussels: contact Zero Waste Belgium for support implementing zero waste standards at your event - Municipalities: request a copy of the action plan to adapt it for your local authority - Residents: ask your borough council whether events in your neighbourhood already follow zero waste guidelines Why it matters Public events generate disproportionate single-use waste in short bursts. A city-wide action plan removes the ambiguity: every organiser knows what is expected, every supplier knows what to offer, and every resident can expect a consistent experience across Brussels' festivals, markets, and fairs. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead organisation: Zero Waste Belgium - Partner: City of Brussels - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editioneventsreusepolicyzero-wasteBrussels
Repair & ReuseBrusselsSTICT: replicating textile waste prevention in BrusselsA city learning from the best textile programmes in Europe Brussels is participating in the STICT project (Sustainable Textile Innovation and Circular Transition), which compiles best-practice models for textile waste prevention and management and works with cities to implement and replicate them. Zero Waste Belgium leads the Brussels partnership, bringing evidence-based strategies to local authorities and businesses. What the project does - Documents the most effective textile collection, repair, and resale models from across Europe - Works with Brussels authorities to implement scalable textile waste prevention measures - Provides a replication toolkit so other cities can adopt proven approaches without starting from scratch - Connects local repair workshops, clothing swaps, and upcycling organisations into the city's circular textile network How to engage - Brussels residents: find local textile repair workshops and clothing swap events through Zero Waste Belgium - Textile businesses and retailers in Brussels: contact Zero Waste Belgium about participating in the STICT circular model - Other municipalities: request the STICT replication toolkit to adapt the Brussels approach to your context Why it matters Textiles are among the fastest-growing waste streams in Europe. Brussels joining STICT means a dense, fashion-forward city is building infrastructure for repair and reuse: sending a signal to the industry and giving residents real alternatives to disposal. 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 Belgium + STICT project partners - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editiontextilesreusepreventioncircularrepair
CommunityLuxembourgGreen Events logo: 364 events, 250,000 people, no single-use packagingA country that made reuse the norm at every public gathering Oekozenter Pafendall and SuperDrecksKëscht coordinate the Green Events programme across approximately 40 Luxembourg municipalities. In 2024, 364 public events: village fairs, cultural programmes, sports events: received the Green Events logo, covering nearly 250,000 attendees without single-use food and drink packaging. What Green Events certification requires - Elimination of single-use plastic, cardboard, and other disposable packaging for food and drink service - Use of reusable dishware or certified compostable alternatives where reuse is logistically impossible - A written sustainability plan submitted by the event organiser before the logo is awarded - Post-event reporting to verify compliance How to engage - Event organisers in Luxembourg: contact Oekozenter Pafendall to apply for Green Events certification - Municipalities: join the 40 municipalities already participating by making Green Events the default requirement for events on public land - Visitors: ask at the entrance whether the event is Green Events certified: your question makes certification matter Why it matters When 364 events in a small country all operate without single-use packaging, reuse stops being the exception and becomes the new normal. Luxembourg's programme shows that a relatively straightforward certification process can shift the entire events sector within a few years. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Oekozenter Pafendall (OEKO) + SuperDrecksKëscht - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editioneventsreusecertificationsustainabilityLuxembourg
Repair & ReuseFrankfurtReusable cup & takeaway box networkHelp Frankfurt's returnable cup pool circulate Map cafés and kiosks that lend reusable cups and takeaway boxes along the river and main streets, one returnable cup beats a mountain of single-use. What you can do - Use #MainMehrweg and #MainBecher to find participating venues - Return cups to any partner point, not only where you borrowed - Encourage local businesses to join the pool if they are not listed yet Why it matters Reuse systems only work when enough people return, neighbourhood champions keep the loop spinning. 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 · #MainMehrweg · #MainBecherreusecircularlocal
