This biomonitoring report by ToxicoWatch and supported by Zero Waste Europe reveals dangerously high levels of dioxins, PFAS, and heavy metals around the Zubieta Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Spain. Samples from backyard eggs, moss, soil, and water show widespread contamination, with one egg recording the highest dioxin levels in Europe in over a decade. The findings raise serious concerns about ongoing emissions and call for urgent action to protect environmental and public health.
Available in English.
This biomonitoring report by ToxicoWatch, supported by Zero Waste Europe and Collectif 3R, reveals high levels of dioxins, PFAS, and heavy metals in vegetation, moss, and soil around the Ivry-sur-Seine incinerator in Paris. Samples taken from schools and public areas show widespread contamination, with some dioxin levels exceeding EU safety limits. These findings align with earlier public health alerts and underline the urgent need for tighter emission controls and environmental monitoring across urban incineration zones.
Available in English.
This biomonitoring report by ToxicoWatch’s, supported by Zero Waste Europe, uncovers worrying levels of dioxins, PFAS, and heavy metals near the Harlingen Waste-to-Energy incinerator. Backyard chicken eggs, soil, moss, and water samples show significant contamination—PFAS levels in ditch water were 138 times above Dutch drinking water limits, and dioxins in eggs exceeded EU thresholds. These findings, spanning over a decade of research, highlight the urgent need to investigate pollution sources and resume continuous emissions monitoring at the REC facility.
Available in English.
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.
This report, produced by Bankwatch in collaboration with Za Zemiata and Zelena Akcija, assesses the impact of cohesion policy funding on the capacity and progress of selected central and eastern European countries in building efficient waste management systems that will enable transitioning to circular economy in accordance with the EU’s new Circular Economy Action Plan.
In the first part of the analysis, the report focuses on spending allocation in the previous (2014–2020) and current (2021–2027) cohesion policy funding periods. In the second part, it assesses the effectiveness of the 2014–2020 cycle spending by analysing available country-level outputs.
Available in English.
This report has been prepared based on previous work by Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) as part of our New Financing Models programme. It documents our exploration of Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) as an alternative funding mechanism for environmental and social initiatives. The findings in this paper reflect over two years of research and practical experience in developing new financing models for zero waste solutions.
The report examines our experience in exploring SIBs, including our successes and setbacks, and explores how it can be used as an innovative tool to help foster new standards in Europe for the circular economy and social welfare.
Available in English.
This report presents the findings of the second phase of a multi-year biomonitoring study (2023–2025) conducted in 8-11 May, 2024.
The research focuses on the deposition of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including dioxins (PCDD/F/dl-PCB), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), PFAS, and heavy metals (HM), in the vicinity of the Cementáreň Turňa nad Bodvou cement plant in the Košice Region of Slovakia.
By assessing pollution levels, this study provides critical data to address environmental and public health impacts in the area.
Available in English.
The quality of bio-waste impacts the production of compost and digestate. LIFE BIOBEST‘s Deliverable 5.3 aims to establish unified quality standards for bio-waste entering the recycling process in the European Union Member States in alignment with the Waste Framework Directive.
The document draws conclusions from the various approaches currently adopted by EU MS, including methodologies for the analysis of bio-waste composition as well as the definition of control or limit values for impurities. Furthermore, consultation with experts in bio-waste management helped shape the recommendations.
Available in English.
LIFE BIOBEST‘s Deliverable 2.3 evaluates contextual factors that affect bio-waste management. The assessment matrix consolidates various contextual factors, providing in-depth descriptions of each. The factors are then placed alongside recommendations and six theoretical scenarios, which stakeholders can use to compare to their own context.
Available in English.
Written by Zero Waste Europe’s Founder, Joan Marc Simon, and published by Break Free From Plastic, this study critically examines 30 years of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Europe and around the globe, revealing its successes and limitations.
While EPR has mobilized resources for waste management, it has struggled to reduce waste generation, promote reuse, and ensure full cost coverage. The report offers a reimagined approach to EPR—one that prioritises waste prevention, fair compensation for waste workers, and transparent governance, aiming to make EPR a true catalyst for sustainability within planetary boundaries.
Key takeaways:
– While EPR has successfully mobilised resources for waste management, it has not led to a reduction in waste generation. In many cases, waste volumes and absolute environmental impact have increased despite EPR implementation.
– EPR systems have generally improved collection and recycling rates in those places where legislation has provided the right guidance, but have struggled to promote waste prevention and reuse or discourage waste disposal (landfilling or waste burning technologies).
– The implementation of EPR in the Global South faces unique challenges, particularly in ensuring fair prices for waste workers and integrating informal sector workers.
– Governance issues, including lack of transparency, compliance with guidelines and conflicts of interest, have hindered the effectiveness of many EPR systems in delivering the best environmental and social outcome.
Full study available in English.
Adapted study and executive summary to include the national context and examples from Spain) available in Catalan.
The global fashion industry has seen unprecedented growth in recent decades, leading to staggering amounts of textile waste being discarded: 16 kg of textile waste per EU citizen each year.
The surge in fast fashion consumption has created significant environmental and social challenges, particularly at the local level, where cities are grappling with mounting textile waste and the subsequent economic cost and environmental pollution. Moreover, as of 2025, municipalities are obliged to separately collect textile waste, presenting a significant challenge given the current insufficient textile collection, sorting, reuse, and recycling capacities in much of Europe.
This paper looks at the measures that cities can take to tackle the challenges of fast fashion. To address the problem, some cities are beginning to explore the concept of sufficiency, furthering consumption and human well-being within planetary boundaries.
Full report available in English.
Executive summary, and infographic available in English, Slovenian, and Estonian.
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.
Chemical experts have told the EU that it must ban polyvinyl chloride (PVC) if it wants to comply with its own laws.
The move by ClientEarth, European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and Zero Waste Europe, comes after the three NGOs analysed a 2023 report by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) concerning PVC and the danger this plastic and its additives pose.
Used in everything from flooring and pipes to packaging and toys, PVC is one of the world’s most produced and widely used types of plastic. But it is associated with a variety of environmental and health problems, including cancer, reproductive impairment and birth defects. Like PFAS, tiny particles of PVC end up in the environment and remain present for long periods of time.
Available in English.
A significant discrepancy has been uncovered in Spain’s plastic bottle recycling data, revealing that the actual separate collection rate is a mere 36%, far below the 71% claimed by Ecoembes and the 70% target mandated by Spanish law for 2023. This alarming revelation comes from a detailed report by Eunomia, commissioned by Zero Waste Europe and the Spanish Zero Waste Alliance (Alianza Residuo Cero), highlighting the urgent need for a Deposit Return System (DRS) to meet legal recycling targets and address data transparency issues.
This report points to significant flaws in current data collection and reporting methods. Stakeholders, including Zero Waste Europe and the Zero Waste Alliance, are now pressing the Spanish Minister of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, to acknowledge the non-compliance and implement a DRS. Such systems, already effective in over 50 regions globally, could ensure the recycling of up to 90% of beverage containers, positioning Spain back on track to meet its environmental commitments.
Available in English and Spanish.
The “True Toxic Toll” campaign is back with the most recent findings on the harmful impact of incinerator emissions on human health and the environment.
This report showcases the results of a multi-year biomonitoring research by ToxicoWatch Foundation on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the surrounding environment of a waste incinerator in Zubieta (Spanish Basque Country region).
The research reveals high levels of dioxins and PFAS in backyard chicken eggs, mosses, and pine needles near the incinerator, indicating contamination. The report highlights the need for further investigation into the sources of these pollutants and their impact on public health.
Available in English.
This second chapter of our two-part series on textiles sketches out what a truly circular and toxic-free system for textiles looks like. The report investigates the current barriers to circularity, identifies solutions, and makes recommendations for policy measures in the EU.
The European textile sector, characterised by its staggering waste generation and significant environmental impact, is at a crossroads and requires immediate action to transition towards the circular economy. Key challenges include the environmental impact of production and health risks for consumers posed by the use of harmful chemical substances, fossil fuel-based synthetic fibres, and the release of microplastics. Furthermore, the low rates of local reuse, repair, and upcycling of textiles as well as the insufficient separate collection capacity hamper circularity.
Another significant obstacle is the insufficiency capacity for recycling in Europe; operations are often not economically viable due to a lack of design for recycling, investments in technologies for closed-loop recycling, but also the slow uptake of recycled content. Finally, the negative social and environmental impacts of exported second-hand textiles pose a huge challenge to regulators.
In the first chapter of this two-part series, ‘A Zero Waste Vision for Fashion – Chapter 1: All We Need Is Less’, we outlined that without a shift to sufficiency in the fashion sector, the industry is on track to exceed several planetary boundaries.
Executive Summary available in English.
Full paper available in English.
This 4th edition of the State of Zero Waste Municipalities Report looks back at 2023, spotlighting innovative local initiatives across Europe that promote environmental and community benefits. Despite facing urgent challenges, including record heat in 2023, this report aims to inspire hope by showcasing the progress towards zero waste cities. It celebrates the tireless efforts of local communities and their impact on creating a better, fairer, and more resilient future.