Zero Waste Europe

Work Plan Overview

Our work plan for 2022 is structured in 5 work packages, including the organisational development. That is:

WP1: Organisational Development

Provides a description of how we plan to provide the necessary support and infrastructure to implement WP2, WP3, and WP4.

WP2: Waste Prevention and Consumption Reduction

This WP deals with any policy related to preventing waste from being created by making products or packaging more durable, repairable, or reusable.

Key Focus Areas

• Waste and food waste prevention
• Reuse policies
• Implementation of existing prevention policies

WP3: Clean and Effective Material Cycles

This WP deals with policies dedicated to designing products and packaging for circularity, ensuring that they are toxic-free, reusable as much as possible, and recyclable at the end of their life-time so that they can be reintroduced in the material loop.

Important Aspects

• Designing for circularity
• Ensuring products are toxic-free
• Finding the right role for chemical recycling

WP4: Optimised Waste Collection and Treatment

This WP covers all the policies related to waste collection, shipment, and management, including economic incentives (EPR, DRS), follow-up of implementation, and waste trade.

WP5: Sustainable Residual Waste Management

This WP is about any policy relating to waste disposal. It focuses on ensuring that all new legislation on waste disposal is centered on safe and efficient treatment and is coherent with future commitments in product and waste policy to avoid building overcapacity for disposal infrastructure.