Representatives from the European Commission and the United Nations, along with experts from across Europe, will share pioneering experiences in waste prevention and strategies to accelerate the transition towards a zero waste society.
During the Festival, the 6th Rezero Catalonia Awards will be presented, and we will kick off the celebrations for Rezero’s 20th anniversary.
Leading international experts and the most innovative waste prevention initiatives will gather in Barcelona on 26-27 March at Palo Alto (Carrer dels Pellaires, 30-38, Barcelona) for the second edition of the Zero Waste Festival. The event will bring together specialists from across Europe and representatives from the European Commission and the United Nations through a program of conferences, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive activities. Organized by Rezero in collaboration with Zero Waste Europe, the Festival aims to generate knowledge, foster debate, and rethink our production and consumption model, demonstrating that a zero waste society is possible.
As part of the Festival, we will host the Rezero Catalonia Awards, recognizing the best zero waste initiatives in Catalonia, and launch the celebrations for Rezero’s 20th anniversary. The event will be hosted by comedian Maria Rovira (Oye Sherman), who will deliver a stand-up monologue on zero waste.
Attendees will also be able to explore the EspaiLab, an immersive space where they can experience what it is like to live in a healthy, toxin-free, and zero waste home, while also enjoying live music.
Fast fashion, DRS, and toxic substances in menstrual products: Key topics
This edition will reflect on the root causes of the systemic and global crisis we are facing, but will focus primarily on alternatives and transformations that can pave the way towards a fairer and more sustainable future. We will also examine the state of waste prevention in Europe and the challenges that still need to be addressed.
Key topics of the Festival include:
- The fast fashion crisis. We will explore the textile industry, initiatives, and policies that encourage more responsible consumption and circular business models. We will examine France’s upcoming legislation to regulate ultrafast fashion, along with other practical case studies.
- Reusable packaging in Europe and the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Spain. We will assess the challenges of implementing DRS, particularly for SMEs, and discuss the new opportunities presented by Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for municipalities and businesses.
- Eliminating toxic substances from everyday products and promoting safer alternatives. We will highlight toxic chemicals in menstrual products and discuss the standards needed to ensure access to safe, high-quality menstrual hygiene products.
The Festival is one of the activities taking place to mark International Zero Waste Day (30 March). Another highlight will be a guided tour on 25 March, showcasing real-world zero waste experiences. One example is Viladecans, which, a year ago, became certified under the Zero Waste Cities and Towns standard, the first European certification recognizing cities for their proactive waste prevention efforts.
Check out the full program of the Zero Waste Festival.