Breaking the single-use bias: two years of local action through the Elevating Reuse In Cities Project

Over the past two years, Zero Waste Europe and 10 of its member organisations have teamed up with 30 European cities through the Elevating Reuse in Cities (ERIC) project, consolidating a network now covering over 3 million EU citizens. Together, they are developing and implementing local prevention plans to help reduce the generation of single-use material waste. This network spans from major cities like Nantes, Lyon, Brussels, and Zagreb to smaller communities such as Calatafimi-Segesta (Italy), Viladecans (Catalonia), as well as popular tourist destinations like Bled (Slovenia), proving that real change is possible at every scale.

From recycling to reuse and prevention – Why are cities the frontline for change?

Five years after the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), packaging waste is still piling up across Europe. European packaging waste reached an average of 186.5 kg per person in 2022, nearly a 20% increase over ten years, with projections surpassing 200 kg/cap by 2030. Much of this surge is currently fueled by takeaway packaging, with paper and cardboard now the fastest-growing packaging materials, ironically replacing plastic but not reducing single-use waste. A trend notably driven by the booming e-commerce and food delivery sectors.

Recycling alone won’t solve this. The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation which targets a 15% reduction in packaging waste by 2040 (compared to 2018) makes it clear: prevention and reuse must take centre stage.

Cities and local governments continue to face the mounting consequences of single-use packaging pollution every day, from littered streets and polluted waterways to rising public health and cleanup costs. They’re footing most of the bill, spending valuable time, money, and resources dealing with the growing burden of single-use waste. Yet this frontline role also gives them unique power to lead.

The power of local actions

Despite the persistent “single-use bias”, where disposables remain the most convenient, cost-effective options under current economic conditions, pioneering municipalities across Europe are stepping up by implementing local policies that reuse or avoid the need for single-use packaging. 

The Elevating Reuse in Cities (ERIC) project, funded by the Plastics Solutions Fund (PSF) explored how local authorities can shift from waste management to waste prevention of single-use products via the adoption of local Prevention Plans. The project sought to spark a crucial reflection: What strategies can cities adopt to shift from dealing with single-use waste to preventing it at its source? 

From food single-use packaging to cigarette butts and menstrual products, ERIC’s Prevention Plans showcase effective, locally tailored policies to cut single-use waste. Two years in, we now have a clearer picture of the practical changes that can be implemented across several key areas – public procurement, events, public buildings, and public spaces:

• Banning single-use plastics in public buildings and spaces. Paris is a frontrunner in this area with its strategy, establishing clear rules to phase out single-use items from municipal workplaces, internal events and public buildings and inspiring many ERIC cities to adopt similar internal policies. [See guide]
  • One interesting local example from the ERIC project comes from the small Slovak towns of Úľany nad Žitavou and Košeca, which both plan to ban plastic decorations like candle holders in cemetery.
• Local tax on single-use packaging. Tübingen in Germany introduced a local tax on single-use packaging for food and beverages, upheld as legal by the federal constitutional court in early 2025. Since then, businesses offering reusable options quadrupled, making Tübingen a national leader per capita. [See case study]
• Launching reusable nappy programmes in public-owned childcare centres. Brussels’ “Eco Crèches” initiative, launched in 2019, aims to roll out washable nappies in all city-run crèches by 2026. In 2024, already 20 crèches switched gradually to reusable nappies with the support of the cities. [See factsheet].
• Promoting zero-packaging consumption through local incentives. 
  • From November 2024 to January 2025, the city of Viladecans (Catalonia) ran the campaign “Fes un pas, porta l’envàs” (“Take a step, bring your container”), offering discounts and vouchers to citizens for bulk purchases at local shops. [See blog article]. The initiative alone prevented over 8,000 disposable items and saved more than 62 kg of single-use packaging waste.
  • In Italy, the city of Carmignano (Tuscany) is promoting bulk shopping and encouraging customers to bring their own containers to the weekly market. As part of the ERIC project and in collaboration with Zero Waste Italy, the municipality offered a free three-session course to support shopkeepers in promoting their businesses sustainable practices.
• Mandating reusable packaging at all municipal events. Since June 2024, Estonian capital city of Tallinn requires all food and beverages at public events to be served in reusable containers, serving as an inspiration for many ERIC cities (and beyond) to adopt similar mandates. [See factsheet] 
• Piloting reuse systems in the food and beverage sector. The Danish city of Aarhus, in partnership with TOMRA, has been among the first testing a city-wide reusable packaging system for take-away food and drinks for over a year across its HoReCa sector. [See webinar]
• Installing refill stations to reduce bottled water waste and promote tap water use. These systems should provide clean, filtered water to boost public confidence and reaffirm access to safe water as a public good. In Zagreb, the city has committed to improving its 166 existing public drinking fountains and installing new, modern ones. Historic fountains have also been creatively revitalised through the Pimp My Pump initiative, where local artists transform them with graffiti, each telling a unique story.
• Creating smoke-free zones and collecting cigarette butts. Barcelona has led with a by-law (in effect since July 2022) banning smoking on beaches and regulating public space use to tackle cigarette pollution – especially crucial in sensitive areas like coastlines.
• Embedding zero single-use plastic criteria in public procurement. Public purchasing can drive wider access to reusable options across government offices, schools, hospitals, canteens, and public events. Hamburg has been a frontrunner in this area with the implementation of a “negative list” in its procurement guidelines since 2016, banning a wide array of single-use items. 
  • One interesting local example from the ERIC project comes from the cities of Lyon and Nantes which are ming to eliminate single-use plastics – especially in food services and public events – by integrating a comprehensive set of environmental clauses into their tender documents.

Making reuse mandatory at events – the starting point for change? 

A clear trend across the ERIC network: public events are often the first step toward broader systemic change. For many municipalities, events offer an ideal testing ground, a controlled environment where the logistics of reuse systems can be trialed and fine-tuned while helping build connections with local reuse providers, and help citizens and businesses get comfortable with reusable alternatives. 

• Škofja Loka in Slovenia is piloting a regional cup rental and washing service run by the public waste company, making it easier for event organisers in several municipalities to access reusable cups, reducing disposable waste while simplifying logistics. [See blog article] Gorenja Vas–Poljane is also promoting reuse at events and has invested in a set of reusable cups available to event organisers.
• In Brussels, the “Brudalex 2.0” framework requires 100% use of reusable items at publicly funded events. Building on this, Brussels city is now actively exploring with the support of Zero Waste Belgium how to expand this mandate to all public events.
• In Bulgaria, where hygiene regulations restrict “bring your own” practices and tax policies complicate deposit return systems (DRS), reuse and prevention are still gaining traction. And once again, events have proven to be the ideal starting point to kick off these initiatives. The environmental Bulgarian NGO Za Zemiata, has become a key resource for ERIC municipalities and event organisers seeking to host zero waste events. Their expertise, particularly in setting up DRS for reuse, has been in high demand, especially following the release of their Zero Waste Events booklet. In the city of Gabrovo, for example, a checklist for plastic-free public events is now being shared with organisers to guide implementation.
• Similarly, in Cyprus, Friends of the Earth Cyprus has provided extensive support to national event organisers, such as AfroBanana music festival [See blog article], and municipal actors involved or interested in the ERIC project, including the city of Limassol, which has clearly identified events as a strategic starting point for a broader shift toward prevention. Together, they’ve developed a comprehensive zero waste strategy for events, beginning with the Limassol Wine Festival as a pilot. 

Standout local Prevention Plans from ERIC Cities

Among the first ERIC municipalities, several stood out not just for having adopted a prevention plan, but for delivering real action and political leadership in the fight against single-use.

Viladecans and Torrelles de Llobregat (Catalonia, Spain)
Both cities have developed local prevention plans together with the zero waste association Rezero, and featured 10 and 7 targeted measures respectively. Set for implementation over 4-5 years, the plans include bans on single-use items in food delivery, municipal, and health services, as well as the development of zero-waste procurement criteria. Each measure includes a clear monitoring methodology to track progress and impact. Discover more about the initiatives implemented in both cities here.

Lyon Métropole, Nantes, and Bordeaux (France)
These major French metropolitan areas have institutionalised ambitious waste prevention strategies targeting single-use plastics, with the technical support of Zero Waste France. For example, Lyon Métropole has adopted the Zero Plastic Action Plan, structured around seven key objectives and 30 targeted actions. Key initiatives include:

• Make reusable tableware mandatory at events with the aim to have 40 events per year using reusable options by 2025. A reusable dishware kit is now available for free to all event organisers (public or private thanks to the CITEO (France’s packaging PRO) call for projects that Lyon won. A flagship zero-plastic event will be organised in 2025 and highlight sustainable event planning and practices with reuse systems in action. 
• Generalise reusable tableware across municipal sites, with notably, the implementation of a reusable container system for takeaway meals at the Métropole de Lyon’s restaurant.
• Support municipalities and local stakeholders to reduce single-use plastics, supporting new local solution providers (e.g., reuse providers, washing services) and connecting them with municipalities, retailers, and professional networks. One exciting highlight is the upcoming pilot project launching a shared deposit-return system, partnering with 40 local businesses across the 3rd and 7th districts of the city.

Read more here and check the Plastic Prevention Plans (in French) of Lyon, Nantes and Bordeaux.

Majetín (Czech Republic)
Majetín shows how even small municipalities can take bold action. With support from the environmental organisation Hnutí Duha, the village adopted a binding waste prevention plan banning PET bottles, disposable cups, and plastic bags in public offices. It set up smoke-free zones with butt bins, promoted reusable nappies and menstrual products, and encouraged BYO habits among local businesses. At public events, organisers follow practical “event manuals” to cut single-use waste. In 2024 alone, these measures prevented 300 kg of plastic waste.

With the ERIC project extended for three more years, Zero Waste Europe aims to accelerate reuse and single-use waste prevention policies within participating municipalities and champion their broader adoption elsewhere. Crucially, this includes clarifying the conditions essential for success, safety, and inclusivity.

The road ahead calls on cities to break the “single-use bias” and demonstrate that prevention and reuse are practical, effective and scalable strategies. Making them the European norm demands political will at all levels, stronger economic incentives, and supportive regulatory frameworks.

That’s why Zero Waste Europe is now building a network of Prevention Pioneers with cities at the forefront of prevention and reuse. Through regular online events and occasional in-person gatherings, the network fosters the exchange of best practices, discusses challenges, and builds collective action. Together, these cities amplify their impact, boost the visibility of local frontrunners and inspire the wider adoption of ambitious local policies, having a larger voice to shape the enabling conditions needed to scale reuse and prevention across the EU.