The Circular Economy Act (CEA) could overcome the current limitations of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which prioritises waste management over more impactful circular strategies such as reuse and repair.
To drive real waste reduction, Zero Waste Europe proposes splitting EPR fees into two distinct budgets: one for waste management and another for waste reduction (supporting mid-level R-strategies). A temporary ‘transition to circularity’ fund could bridge the gap until detailed data is available to introduce specific targets.
Strong governance, transparent reporting, and legally binding targets are essential to ensure EPR schemes effectively finance and scale circular business models across the EU.
Policy brief and infographic available in English, and Polish.
The 2025 edition of the European Reuse Barometer includes data from 115 reuse companies across Europe, making it the most comprehensive survey on reusable packaging models to date.
Authored by InOff Plastic with support from Zero Waste Europe (through the ReuSe Vanguard Project), New ERA – New European Reuse Alliance, and Planet Reuse, the European Reuse Barometer compiles economic, social and operational data from reuse programmes across retail, e-commerce, hospitality, and transport packaging. The report tracks return rates, funding needs, and business models across reusable systems, demonstrating how reuse is scaling up and making an impact.
Available in English.
In a Reloop-coordinated joint call to European Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné and Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall, 112 entities urge the European Commission not to reopen the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) as part of the upcoming Environmental Simplification Package expected in December 2025.
The PPWR is a cornerstone of the European circular economy. It establishes the necessary, comprehensive framework that enables truly reusable and recyclable packaging across the Single Market by 2030. Maintaining the integrity of the existing Regulation is essential to delivering on Europe’s strategic goals, including the Clean Industrial Deal’s target to double the circular material use rate to 24% by 2030. This ambition is wholly dependent on market stability and predictable legislation.
Available in English.
A coalition of 34 organisations and businesses and 40 European cities and companies have joined forces to call on the European Commission to unlock the untapped potential of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a driver of prevention, reuse and repair in the EU. Together, these two initiatives merge in a unified demand for bold reform of EPR under the upcoming Circular Economy Act (CEA).
Available in English.
Europe faces an urgent need to reduce packaging waste and build circular and resilient systems. With the adoption of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), new obligations create a clear framework for expanding reuse in the takeaway sector
This Blueprint provides public authorities, Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), and other stakeholders with a strategic, practical guide for designing and scaling reuse systems. It draws on hands-on learnings from seven leading European cities under the ReuSe Vanguard Project (RSVP).
Recognising that reuse is a dynamic journey, not a one-size-fits-all model, the Blueprint proposes a shared foundation that aims to meet overarching goals of:
– User-friendliness and operational simplicity.
– Environmental and economic performance.
– Scalability and applicability.
The five essential system criteria outlined – effectiveness, recognition, interoperability, inclusiveness, and guaranteed safety – provide a structured approach to building systems that are legally compliant, user-friendly, high-performing,
and future-proof.
By aligning local actions with the spirit and letter of the PPWR, stakeholders can drive a transition that reduces waste, boosts circular innovation, and meets Europe’s ambitious environmental goals.
Full Blueprint available in English, Spanish, French.
Annexes available in English.
Safety guidelines infographic available in English.
Europe’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes are failing to deliver on circularity and strategic autonomy.
Our latest study, “Designing EPR to Foster the EU’s Competitiveness and Strategic Autonomy”, analyses 30 years of EPR implementation and proposes a comprehensive framework to transform EPR systems into catalysts for the circular economy transition.
The study lays out a two-pillar plan to unlock EPR’s full potential. The first pillar focuses on system optimisation, calling for harmonised rules across Member States, greater transparency, the creation of a central registry of producers, and the establishment of a European EPR oversight body to reduce administrative burden, tackle free-riding, and support a functioning single market for producer responsibility. The second pillar positions EPR as a circular economy enabler, arguing that EPR fees must go beyond cost-coverage to actively finance waste prevention, reuse, and repair, through dedicated repair funds, reuse infrastructure, and supportive policy measures.
Full repost available in English.
Executive summary available in English, Polish, Estonian, Croatian, French, and Ukrainian.
This report by Zero Waste Europe and Za Zemiata reveals major misreporting in Bulgaria’s plastic packaging waste data. While official stats claim 50.6% recycling, over half of municipalities report below 10%. Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) are underreporting waste flows by up to 30%, echoing similar issues in Spain. As such, both organisations are demanding EU-level oversight to enforce transparency and real recycling targets. Accurate data is essential for a true circular economy.
Available in English.
The European Union stands at a critical juncture. With six planetary boundaries already breached and a rapidly shifting global economy, the Circular Economy Act (CEA) should serve as a guiding compass to drive how we consume and produce differently, how we empower communities, and build resilient economies through job creation in circular sectors. It must promote value preservation and ensure the strategic use of our resources, while ensuring a safe and toxic-free transition for workers, SMEs, and citizens.
Ahead of the European Commission’s publication of the Clean Industrial Deal (CID), Zero Waste Europe presents its position paper laying out the vision for the CEA: more than a technical fix to the waste crisis, it should serve as a guiding compass within a broader industrial strategy.
Available in English.
Executive summary available in English, Portuguese, Croatian, German, and Greek.
In this open letter to Members of the European Parliament ahead of the hearings of EU Commissioner-designate candidates, a group of NGOs, EU organisations, and sustainable businesses calls out for stronger circular economy policies in Europe.
With the EU’s Circular Material Use Rate showing minimal improvement over the past decade, the letter asks for rigorous questioning of EU Commissioner-designate candidates on twelve critical areas, including binding resource reduction targets, improved Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks, a healthy circular economy, and circular taxation systems.
Available in English.
This first edition of the European Reuse Barometer reveals a rapidly growing reuse industry in Europe, highlighting significant advancements in reusable packaging solutions across sectors such as takeaway, retail, and e-commerce. Key findings indicate that the industry is buoyed by engaged consumers, with 78% of solutions reporting return rates above 75%, showcasing strong consumer commitment. However, the report emphasises the need for legislative support and financial investment to sustain this growth and overcome challenges such as high operational costs and competitive pricing with single-use packaging.
Despite the promising growth, the report underscores the urgent need for streamlined and unified efforts to enhance the reuse ecosystem. Recommendations include increasing consumer engagement through awareness campaigns and restrictive single-use packaging policies, setting ambitious policy frameworks to incentivise reuse, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to build shared infrastructure. By addressing these critical areas, the European Reuse Barometer aims to accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable and economically viable reuse system across Europe.
Report available in English.
This report highlights the critical role of public authorities in advancing reuse systems for takeaway packaging. The report, developed in partnership with Eunomia Research & Consulting, shows that switching from single-use to reuse could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower hidden costs like litter and carbon impacts. Case studies in Aarhus and Berlin reveal that small vendors may save on costs, while large businesses could face initial higher expenses. To level the playing field and unlock the full potential of reuse, the report calls for strong policy interventions such as levies, reuse targets, and bans on single-use packaging.
Full report available in English.
Executive Summary available in French, Portuguese, Croatian, and Dutch.
Zero Waste Europe welcomes the overall ambition of the European Commission to encourage the prevention and reuse of waste for the first time for a wide range of packaging types, in line with the waste hierarchy. Although the proposal is going in the right direction by prioritising prevention and reuse of packaging, it needs to be more ambitious if the European Commission is willing to achieve the EU Green Deal goals.
Available in English.
In the wine industry, single-use glass is heavily used for packaging. On the one hand, glass has the greatest environmental impacts compared to other packaging materials (i.e. PET, aluminium, and beverage carton). On the other hand, glass is 100% reusable and 100% recyclable at the end of its life cycle, and is an inert material, which makes it more suitable as a food contact material.
The reWINE project proves that a circular and more sustainable way of consuming wine is possible.
Let’s start the tasting tour!
Available in Catalan, English, French, Hungarian, Italian, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Slovenian, and Spanish.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the unsustainable nature of consumption, particularly the reliance on single-use plastics. Despite lacking evidence of increased safety, these items proliferated, highlighting the urgent need for a transition to reusable solutions as outlined in the EU’s Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive and Circular Economy Action Plan.
European cities are at the forefront of plastic waste reduction, pioneering measures such as banning single-use items, implementing deposit return systems, and adopting scalable zero-waste solutions. While national and regional governments bear responsibility for enforcing the SUP Directive, municipalities are critical drivers of change. By introducing impactful reuse policies and systems, they can accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
To support municipalities in this role, Zero Waste Europe and the Rethink Plastic alliance have developed a practical guide. The guide provides strategies for green public procurement, establishing reuse systems, and creating effective recycling incentives.
The Story of Unverpackt is the sixth chapter of the Zero Waste Europe Consumption & Production Case Studies series aimed at promoting zero waste business models.
Since opening in February 2014, Germany’s first packaging-free store Unverpackt in Kiel, has been pursuing a drastic reduction of packaging waste while motivating customers to rethink their consumer behavior. More than 100 stores in Germany are already following this example, the zero waste retail movement has only just begun.
Available in English and German.
How do zero waste and online shopping work together?
RePack is a closed-loop system that can reduce e-commerce packaging by 96% while providing the same consumer experience as the disposable one.
Discover more on our case study.
Available in English and French.
In November 2016, Freiburg decided to stop the flood of disposable coffee cups. Less than two years later, Freiburg has proven how a mid-size city can push for alternatives to the throwaway society and define the political agenda.
Available in English and French.
Recircle has arrived to transform takeaway restaurants. After two years, more than 400 restaurants across Switzerland were using Recircle’s 70,000 reusable meal boxes.
A winning solution that prevents waste and saves money for restaurants and cities.
Available in English and French.