Zero Waste Europe – Annual Report 2025

Our 2025 Annual Report celebrates the power of change, ambitious action, and daring to go further in a world marked by uncertainty and ecological breakdown.

As so rightly put by our Director, Esra Tat, ”zero waste transition is no longer a niche conversation, but a practical, political and cultural project unfolding across Europe. We see it in our cities, in our businesses, and increasingly in the policies that shape our economies.”

Explore the Zero Waste Europe 2025 Annual Report to find:

– Movement stories – discover how we’re supporting cities and municipalities in 17 European countries, bringing zero waste models and impact to more than 14 million citizens.

– Breakthrough policies shaped with our network – including important wins and progress in the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation and the European Circular Economy Act negotiations.

– Local zero waste heroes in action, from composting revolutions in Slovakia, Portugal, and Montenegro, to bold reuse systems in Rotterdam and Berlin, and plastic prevention plans in Lyon and Viladecans.

– Global collaboration and impact – see how we contributed to bringing zero waste forward globally, from participations in events like COP30 and Global Plastics Treaty negotiations to ZWE-led events on organics and movement-building.

– Inspiring zero waste stories and testimonials from our members and wider movement, showing the impact of collaborating with Zero Waste Europe and how our network is growing stronger and more united than ever.

 

Available in English.


Please note that the resolution of this document may appear scaled down for website accessibility purposes. For a full-resolution version of our 2025 Annual Report, please email [email protected].

Zero Waste Europe – Annual Report 2024

Our 2024 Annual Report celebrates the power of community-led change and the many ways in which cities, communities, and campaigners across Europe are making zero waste solutions a reality.

Inside, you’ll find:

– Movement stories – discover how over 87 cities and 17 million citizens are now part of a growing zero waste ecosystem. 

– Breakthrough policies shaped with our network – including important wins in the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), textile Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), bio-waste management, and the links between health and circularity.

– Local zero waste heroes in action, from composting revolutions in Ukraine and Montenegro, to bold reuse systems in Catalonia and Belgium, to halting harmful chemical recycling projects in Slovakia. 

– Global accountability and impact – see how wehelped launch powerful worldwide tools like the Global DRS Platform. 

– Inspiring testimonies and key figures showing how our network is growing stronger and more united than ever. 

Available in English.


Please note that the resolution of this document may appear scaled down for website accessibility purposes. For a full-resolution version of our 2024 Annual Report, please email [email protected].

Zero Waste Europe – Annual Report 2023

2023 has been a year of significant progress and expansion for Zero Waste Europe, as we continued to implement zero waste solutions and advocate for policies prioritising waste prevention reuse, and reduction of resource use.

Our achievements have been made possible thanks to the expertise and dedication of our committed network in Europe and our close collaboration with our colleagues worldwide within the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and the Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) movement.

Dive into our 2023 Annual Report to discover last year’s major victories and achievements – all neatly compiled in one place.

Available in English.

Zero Waste Europe – Annual Report 2022

In 2022, ZWE made significant strides in implementing zero waste solutions, marked by the expansion of our Zero Waste Cities and Businesses work across Europe, and notable policy advancements which ensured an upward movement in the zero waste hierarchy towards waste prevention and reuse. As usual, our Annual Report brings you all the key highlights and victories of this fruitful past year – be it from the staff, our member organisations, or wider movement.

Available in English.

Annual Report 2021

Zero Waste Europe redesigns our relationship with resources by empowering communities and changemakers across Europe. This Annual Report looks at our projects, our research, our successes, and all those who helped us create an impact in 2021!

 

Available in English.

Annual Report 2020

Whilst the zero waste movement has been around for decades, the creation of Zero Waste Europe as an organisation is rather recent. Here we look back on the impact our work had in 2020. This Annual Report looks at our projects, our research, our successes, and all those who helped us create an impact in 2020!

 

Available in English

Annual Report 2019

Whilst the zero waste movement has been around for decades the creation of Zero Waste Europe as an organisation is rather recent. Here we look back on the impact our work had in 2019. This Annual Report looks at our projects, our research, our successes, and all those who helped us create an impact in 2019!

Available in English.

Annual Report 2018

Whilst the zero waste movement has been around for decades the creation of Zero Waste Europe as an organisation is rather recent. However, in few years, we have already managed to have an impact that is remarkable for an organisation our size. Our Annual Report shows all the steps we took on the journey towards zero waste in 2018.

Annual Report 2017

Whilst the zero waste movement has been around for decades the creation of Zero Waste Europe as an organisation is rather recent. However, in few years, we have already managed to have an impact that is remarkable for an organisation our size. Our Annual Report shows all the steps we took on the journey towards zero waste in 2017.

Annual Report 2016

Whilst the zero waste movement has been around for decades the creation of Zero Waste Europe as an organisation is rather recent. However, in few years, we have already managed to have an impact that is remarkable for an organisation our size. Our Annual Report shows all the steps we took on the journey towards zero waste in 2016.

Annual Report 2015

Whilst the zero waste movement has been around for decades the creation of Zero Waste Europe as an organisation is rather recent. However, in few years, we have already managed to have an impact that is remarkable for an organisation our size. Our Annual Report shows all the steps we took on the journey towards zero waste in 2015.