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Celebrating European Week of Waste Reduction
(19-25 November 2022)
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November is a key zero waste month across Europe because - you guessed it - it’s when the annual European Week of Waste Reduction (EWWR) happens! This year's EWWR has textile waste as its focus, but many other topics related to waste reduction are being highlighted.
As usual, ZWE took this week to highlight the important role of zero waste actions in the path towards a circular Europe and society.
During this year's EWWR, we published:
- A factsheet on Finland’s law on textile waste separate collection and implementation pilots;
- A factsheet on Austria’s federal law on refill quotas.
We have also shared inspiring EWWR activities from our members throughout the week on social media, such as:
- Zero Waste North West’s sessions at Repair Cafe Foyle in partnership with Artitude;
- Zero Waste France’s “Fast-fashion: the real cost of low-cost fashion” screenings;
- Zelena Akcija/FoE Croatia’s National Clothes Swap Day.
- Humusz Szövetség’s EWWR event which included a DIY creative workshop;
- Friends of the Earth Cyprus’ presence at the Cypriot Department of Environment’s EWWR event, where they led a presentation on Zero Waste Cities.
- Amigos de la Tierra/FoE Spain’s movement-building event on the right to repair.
- Ekologi brez meja’s awareness-raising activities on textile waste and the presence of plastics in clothes.
Keen to learn more about these activities? Be sure to visit the “Our Network” page on the ZWE website to get in touch directly with our member organisations.
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ZWE Live! Webinar: (Future of) recycling and use of recycled plastics in food packaging
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Despite its many beneficial properties, food packaging raises concerns due to its high production volume and problems related to waste management. Evidence shows that while virgin plastics contain known hazardous chemicals and untested chemicals which can be hazardous, recycled plastics (almost always) contain higher levels of hazardous substances; in both cases, these chemicals can end up in the human body due to their migration from food contact materials (FCM).
The presence of harmful chemicals in FCM is impacting both our health and our environment. Moreover, they hinder safe recycling. This calls for caution and a strong harmonised regulatory framework in the EU, to protect human health, prevent toxic recycling and guarantee clean material cycles in a circular economy.
This webinar aims to answer the following key questions:
- What does current scientific evidence show regarding hazardous substances in recycled plastics used in FCM, and what are the challenges in the safety assessment of recycling processes/chemical contamination risk assessment?
- How can the EU, through new legal requirements, ensure clean and safe plastic content intended for use in contact with food?
Register now
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Stories From Our Movement
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GAIA - Zeroing in on Zero Waste at COP27
With 2022 marking the 30th year since the first global climate gathering in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), world leaders, environmental activists, think tanks and industry meet in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) to discuss actions for tackling the climate crisis.
This year, waste was at the forefront of the agenda as the delegates discussed how best to reach the Global Methane Pledge. GAIA participated with a diverse international delegation of advocates, academics, city policy-makers, grassroots activists, and wastepickers. Throughout COP27, they pushed for zero waste as a vital part of the plan for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
Learn more
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Friends of the Earth Cyprus - FOODprint networking event held in Limassol
On 27 October, our member Friends of the Earth Cyprus organised a networking event in Limassol as part of the EU-funded project LIFE – FOODPRINT, which addresses the environmental problem of food loss or waste. The event was attended by project stakeholders and businesses active in the hospitality and tourism sector, local authorities, NGO representatives and academics. The event discussions focused on EU food waste targets, composting, and new methods of reducing food waste, including through digital recording.
Learn more
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Zero Waste France - Spreading the zero waste vision during European Week of Waste Reduction
During the European Week of Waste Reduction, Zero Waste France and its network of local groups offered a range of zero waste activities that included screenings of the film "Fast-fashion : les dessous de la mode à bas-prix" across the country. This film exposes the environmental and social consequences of fast fashion. Zero Waste France also hosted special board game nights - during which they introduced the boardgame "Rien de neuf" - as well as sewing/repair workshops.
Learn more (in FR)
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