conference

A methodology for zero waste municipalities

The COVID-19 crisis has completely transformed modern society. From how and what we consume to the way we interact with one another and within communities. The pandemic has shone a light like never before on what works and what doesn’t, within our society. 

The zero waste approach is more relevant now than it ever has been. In a time when we must urgently reduce the negative impact we are having on our planet, whilst also continuing to prioritise the resilience of our health and economic systems, adopting a zero waste approach has the ability to sit at the centre of a successful recovery in a post-COVID world. This is why we have decided to release a new version of our Zero Waste Masterplan to provide guidance on how zero waste can be at the heart of communities’ transition towards a circular relationship with resources and nature.

On July 7th, Zero Waste Europe organised an online event to discuss how to create a methodology and strategy for adopting zero waste at the local level.

We discussed ideas and solutions that can help cities accelerate their progress towards zero waste and the circular economy, as well as addressing some other key themes:

  • What zero waste methodologies and strategies could cities follow and replicate in their local communities?
  • What are the specific tools available for municipalities to use and tailor when designing zero waste strategies? How have zero waste strategies been designed and implemented in a range of contexts across Europe? 
  • How have municipalities adapted their zero waste policies within the current COVID-19 crisis, and how have they continued to prioritise this course of action?

Here’s the recording of the event:

Please, find here the speakers’ presentation.

Organisers:

     

Programme

10:30 - 10:40

Welcome & Opening

10:40 - 11:40

Speakers presentations

Jack McQUibban

Moderator

Jack has an educational background in international relations having studied at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. For the past 5 years, he has worked for two different NGOs within the international development and sustainability sectors, helping to build movements and communities for change. He has led successful campaigns at the local level within the UK as well as at the global level at institutions such as the United Nations. Jack will be leading our work with municipalities, helping to connect members from across Europe to build and contribute towards the transition of cities towards zero waste strategies.

Jaka Kranic

Secretary General at Ecologist without Borders

Jaka Kranjc has been a full-time environmentalist since 2009 in one of the most successful Slovenian environmental NGOs, Ecologists without Borders Association, which is also the national Zero Waste organisation for Slovenia. He works on various waste prevention projects, Zero Waste strategies and the historic problem of illegally dumped waste. Realising passive action is not enough, the association organised two massive cleanup projects that both activated about every seventh inhabitant of Slovenia to come clean with them on a single day. That in turn enabled the long term work on prevention.

Cédric Chevalier

Resource & Waste Plan Coordinator, Bruxelles Environnement

Cédric is economist and a civil servant working for the Waste Department of Environment Brussel, the administration of environment for the Brussels-Capital Region in Belgium. He is responsible for the coordination of the Resources and Waste Management Plan, waste statistics and research-action about the waste sorting behavior of Brussel households

Laura Lo Presti

Zero Waste Cities Coordinator, Zero Waste Italy

Laura who lives in the Florentine countryside in Italy, is part of Zero Waste Italy’s National Guarantee Committee, closely cooperating with the Zero Waste Research Center in Capannori and responsible for coordinating the Italian zero waste municipalities networks. Laura was a founding member and vice president of "Montalbano Biodistrict Association" in Carmignano, which brings producers, local authorities and citizens together to promote sustainable farming techniques. Laura has also worked with the municipality of Carmignano on its zero waste plan since 2016 and continues to regularly write articles on environmental issues, lead workshops with schools and remain an active member of various Italian environmental associations.

11:40 - 12:00

Q&A and Closing

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Supported by the LIFE Programme of the European Union. This website does not necessarily reflect the views of the donors.