We work at the European level to push for ambitious waste policy which drives Europe towards a zero waste future. This work also involves monitoring and supporting implementation in various member states, the latter being driven by our national members actively involved in local level projects.
The European Union is shipping a large amount of its waste across borders, both within the EU and globally. This risks generating negative environmental, social, and economic impacts for recipient countries and local communities. We are working to ensure more stringent regulations and monitoring of waste shipments, especially for exports from the European Union.” – Theresa Morsen, Waste & Resources Policy Officer at Zero Waste Europe
In the European Union, over 58 million tonnes of food or 131 kg per person is wasted. This is unacceptable and shows the need to shift towards sustainable food systems swiftly. Only when we rethink our relation with food production and consumption will we be able to waste less and produce food fairly and sustainably.“ – Theresa Mörsen, Waste & Resources Policy Officer at Zero Waste Europe
We need a new strategy for the management of municipal residual waste that prioritises material recovery and biological treatment over energy recovery, in line with the goals of the new circular economy vision and the present climate emergency.” – Enzo Favoino, Chair of the Zero Waste Europe Scientific Committee
“Evidence across the board shows that WTE incineration is a high carbon-intense source of energy, a source of air pollution, and an unsafe technology. It puts countries and cities in a ‘lock in’ situation without a chance to improve waste prevention and recycling. Even if someone liked burning waste, it could not be considered green or sustainable.” – Janek Vähk, Zero Pollution Policy Manager at Zero Waste Europe
Chemical recycling should stop diverting us from real solutions to the current plastic crisis – toxic-free, long-lasting, simplied plastics, that are developed to be recyclable at the end-of-life of products – and not act as another techno-solutions-style answer to the plastic crisis.” – Lauriane Veillard, Chemical Recycling and Plastic-to-Fuels Policy Officer at Zero Waste Europe