Info session: RSVP Blueprint 2.0 & Reuse Packaging System Fundamentals course
2025-10-08 14:00 - 14:45 UTC | Zoom
Join us for a 45-minute info session to discover how the new Reuse Packaging System Fundamentals course can help you assess your municipality’s readiness and design a tailored, actionable reuse plan. Learn how the RSVP Blueprint 2.0 and expert guidance from Zero Waste Europe and Mission Zero Academy can support your journey toward effective, scalable reuse systems.
Are you working to advance reuse in your city or region, but unsure where to start or how to scale?

Join us for an exclusive info session introducing the new professional training course “Reuse Packaging System Fundamentals: From Concept to Implementation,” developed by Mission Zero Academy (MiZA) and Zero Waste Europe as part of the RSVP Blueprint 2.0.

This online course is designed as a practical tool to help cities, municipalities, and system stakeholders diagnose their current situation and build a tailored, actionable plan for implementing standardised, effective reuse packaging systems.

Based on real-world lessons from seven pioneering European cities—Aarhus, Barcelona, Berlin, Ghent, Leuven, Paris, and Rotterdam—the course empowers learners to:

Understand the five core criteria for successful reuse systems
Adapt reuse models to local needs and legal frameworks
Engage key stakeholders across the value chain
Evaluate performance and identify the next steps
Develop a plan that is ready to present and act on in their municipality

In this 45-minute info session, you will:
✅ Get an overview of the RSVP Blueprint 2.0 and the real-world insights behind it
✅ Learn how the Reuse Packaging System Fundamentals course helps diagnose your starting point and build a tailored reuse action plan
✅ Explore the five essential criteria for designing compliant, scalable, and user-friendly reuse systems
✅ Hear from the course creators about what to expect and how to make the most of the training
✅ Ask questions and find out if the course is the right fit for your municipality or organisation

Speaker
Nathan Dufour – Reuse Systems Manager and Leader of the ReuSe Vanguard Project (RSVP) at Zero Waste Europe
Nathan leads ZWE’s efforts to make reusable packaging systems a reality in Europe, building bridges between CSOs, new businesses, innovators, cities, academics, investors and policy-makers. A substantial part of these efforts is coordinated through the systemic work done as part of the ReuSe Vanguard Project (RSVP), which started in early 2021. Nathan also co-coordinates the business leg of the BFFP-led We Choose Reuse campaign, which, among others, has gathered the support of more than 300 businesses from across Europe.

About the ReuSe Vanguard Project (RSVP)
Launched in 2021, the ReuSe Vanguard Project (RSVP) plays a major role in putting reuse systems at the centre of the solutions agenda in Europe and beyond. The project creates the conditions for a large uptake of reusable packaging in the most strategic sectors, such as takeaway food and drinks. The RSVP consortium is coordinated by Zero Waste Europe and includes Deutsche Umwelthilfe, ENVIU, Fair Resource Foundation, Reseau Vrac et Reemploi, Rezero, and Plastic Change.

Maritime Tourism: Zero Waste Business Day
2025-11-06 09:00 - 13:30 | BIT Centre, inca (Mallorca), Spain
Promoting the reduction of single-use plastics and zero waste practices in maritime tourism.
Who is the event for?
Passenger transport companies
Yacht clubs and marinas
Tourism companies offering maritime activities
Public administrations and sector stakeholders
What will you find?
Presentation of the Marine-ZWB Project
How to obtain the Zero Waste Certification
Real and inspiring success stories
Collaborative working groups

Reuse in action: a tale of two cities
2026-03-05 - 2026-03-06 | Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark
Zero Waste Europe, in partnership with the cities of Aarhus and Copenhagen, and with the support of Tomra and New Loop, is hosting a two-day study tour in Denmark. We invite city officials, policymakers, civil society organisations, producer responsibility organisations and reuse entrepreneurs to come together and explore how cities can scale reuse systems that actually work.
Over these two days, participants will:

See first-hand how city-wide reuse systems are reducing single-use waste
Hear from the people making change happen; and
Participate in workshops and discussions designed to give them a clear, actionable blueprint for implementing reuse in their own city

Practical information
Location: Copenhagen and Aarhus
Dates: 5-6 March 2026
Places available: 50 (priority access for ReuSe Vanguard Project (RSVP), Elevating Reuse in Cities (ERIC), and Mission Zero Academy (MiZA) cities and partners) – on a first come, first served basis
👉 To register and secure your spot, please complete the registration form by 6 February 2026.
Why reuse – and why now?
European cities are drowning in single-use packaging. Every year, an estimated 500 billion single-use cups are disposed of globally. Most are only used for a few minutes, but they persist in the environment for centuries. Municipalities bear the cost: 30–50% of urban litter management budgets go to cleaning up single-use waste, while recycling rates remain low.
While more and more European cities are testing reuse through event pilots, voluntary schemes, or HoReCa initiatives – often alongside levies or regulatory measures to curb single-use – many critical questions remain:

What makes a city-wide reuse system successful?

How can public-private partnerships be structured to enable competition while ensuring standardisation, inclusivity, and interoperability in the long run?

How can cities move from short-term pilots to durable, scalable systems?
Which policy, governance, and financial frameworks deliver real results?

This field trip is designed to answer these questions – grounded in real operational experience and building on the expertise of a multi-stakeholder group of participants.
From pilots to city-wide systems
Denmark is leading the way with city-wide reuse systems that prove another model is possible. The cities of Aarhus and Copenhagen offer a real-world laboratory for cities ready to move beyond pilots and scale reuse effectively.

Aarhus: Since January 2024, over 1.5 million reusable cups have been returned through the REUSEABLE system, demonstrating city-wide reuse at scale across events, nightlife, and take-away.

Copenhagen: In November 2025, Copenhagen launched its city-wide reuse system, helping cafés, restaurants, and stores to seamlessly integrate reuse into their daily operations.

Agenda overview
[subject to change]
⚠️A detailed agenda will be available in January 2026 and sent to confirmed participants.

4 March 2026 | Arrivals in Copenhagen

Evening:

Optional informal dinner for those who wish to join (at own cost).

5 March 2026 | Day 1 – Copenhagen

Morning:

Presentation and discussion: City of Copenhagen and New Loop
Site visit to the citywide reuse system

Midday:

Networking Lunch

Afternoon:

Travel together to Aarhus (bus/ferry or train – TBC) with debrief on the site visit.

Evening:

REUSEABLE – 2nd anniversary celebrations

6 March 2026 | Day 2 – Aarhus

Morning:

Welcome and site visit to the citywide reuse system

Afternoon:

Interactive workshop for hands-on learning, discussions, and action planning – End of the programme (16.00)
Individual travel arrangements (at own cost)

Logistics and costs
⚠️Attending this study tour is free of charge.
However, participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Denmark and accommodation. A logistics pack will be provided to confirmed participants to help with travel arrangements and booking accommodation.
➡️ Participants are expected to travel to Copenhagen on 4 March 2026, as the event will start in the morning of 5 March 2026.

What will you gain?
This two-day field trip and workshop, part of the ReuSe Vanguard Project (RSVP), will:

Showcase best-in-class reuse systems in Aarhus and Copenhagen.
Explore the policies, partnerships, and infrastructure that make them work.
Enable peer-to-peer exchange and hands-on problem-solving tailored to your city and context.

Participants will leave with a clear, actionable blueprint for implementing or improving reuse systems in their community.

Who should attend?

City and regional officials
Public authorities (national or EU)
Civil society organisations
Producer Responsibility Organisations
Reuse system operators and entrepreneurs
Researchers and practitioners working on circular economy solutions
Waste management operators

Expect two intense and inspiring days of practical learning, knowledge exchange, and experience sharing with Europe’s reuse frontrunners.

Part 1 Championing Reusables in the Take-Away Sector - A Practical Guide for Municipalities
2026-06-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Mission Zero Academy (online)
Ready to transform your city’s take-away culture? This reusable packaging municipalities workshop, led by the experts at Environmental Action Germany (DUH), is your comprehensive guide to tackling single-use waste. Learn to implement effective reuse systems, reduce your city’s environmental footprint, and build a greener, cleaner community.
About this workshop

This workshop offers a comprehensive exploration of the challenges posed by single-use-packaging in the take-away-sector – covering key materials such as plastic, bioplastic and paper. It presents reusable packaging as a sustainable solution, addressing essential aspects of the infrastructure, key stakeholders and hygiene. By the end of this course, participants will have the knowledge and tools to understand, analyze, and advocate for well-functioning reuse take-away-systems in their cities. They will also gain practical strategies to promote reuse at a municipal level, driving impactful and sustainable change.

Workshop structure & Agenda

This program is delivered in two comprehensive parts, allowing you to build foundational knowledge and then immediately apply it to a practical implementation plan.
Part 1: From Single-Use Problem to Reuse Solution – Fundamentals for the Take-Away Sector

Date: 18 June 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm CET
Agenda:

Explore the key challenges posed by single-use materials (plastic, bioplastic, paper).
Examine the environmental and climate impacts of single-use.
Introduce the full lifecycle of reuse systems: from the reuse cycle and required infrastructure to key stakeholders and essential hygiene considerations.

Part 2: Driving Reuse Forward
​Strategies and implementation at the Municipal level

Date: Thursday 2 October 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm CET
Agenda:

Focus on practical strategies for municipalities, including single-use packaging taxes (like the city of Tuebingen’s), mandatory reuse offers, and public awareness campaigns.
Analyze best-practice examples and discuss how to adapt them locally.
Engage in a live group work session to develop concrete actions and define next steps for your city.

What you’ll gain from this workshop

Key Insights: Learn diverse strategies like tax on single-use packaging (city of Tuebingen) and PPWR reusable supply obligation to push reusables for take-away at a municipality level.
Practical Knowledge: Gain knowledge of best-practice examples of municipalities supporting reuse in their city through strategies like single-use-packaging tax (Tuebingen), reuse offer obligation of Germany, and Reuse infrastructure Pilot in Berlin.
Effective Advocacy Skills: Develop the ability to clearly explain the benefits of reusable take-away solutions and confidently address common counter-arguments with facts and practical examples.
Hands-On Learning: Engage with interactive exercises and real-life case studies to apply your knowledge in practice.

About your trainer – DUH – Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V.

Environmental Action Germany (DUH) is a politically independent, non-profit environmental and consumer protection organization founded in 1975. For over 40 years, DUH has been dedicated to preserving the natural foundations of life, uniquely combining environmental protection with consumer advocacy in Germany. The organization operates primarily at national and European levels, campaigning for sustainable lifestyles and economic systems that respect ecological boundaries. DUH also actively fights for biodiversity preservation, natural asset protection, and climate action, believing that efficiency, renewable energies, sustainable mobility, and waste avoidance are crucial for the planet’s future. As a recognized association with the right to instigate legal proceedings, DUH is a prominent voice in Germany’s environmental landscape and a member of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB).

Part 2 - Championing Reusables in the Take-Away Sector - A Practical Guide for Municipalities
2026-06-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Mission Zero Academy (online)
Ready to transform your city’s take-away culture? This reusable packaging municipalities workshop, led by the experts at Environmental Action Germany (DUH), is your comprehensive guide to tackling single-use waste. Learn to implement effective reuse systems, reduce your city’s environmental footprint, and build a greener, cleaner community.
About this workshop

This workshop offers a comprehensive exploration of the challenges posed by single-use-packaging in the take-away-sector – covering key materials such as plastic, bioplastic and paper. It presents reusable packaging as a sustainable solution, addressing essential aspects of the infrastructure, key stakeholders and hygiene. By the end of this course, participants will have the knowledge and tools to understand, analyze, and advocate for well-functioning reuse take-away-systems in their cities. They will also gain practical strategies to promote reuse at a municipal level, driving impactful and sustainable change.

Workshop structure & Agenda

This program is delivered in two comprehensive parts, allowing you to build foundational knowledge and then immediately apply it to a practical implementation plan.
Part 1: From Single-Use Problem to Reuse Solution – Fundamentals for the Take-Away Sector

Date: 25 June 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm CET
Agenda:

Explore the key challenges posed by single-use materials (plastic, bioplastic, paper).
Examine the environmental and climate impacts of single-use.
Introduce the full lifecycle of reuse systems: from the reuse cycle and required infrastructure to key stakeholders and essential hygiene considerations.

Part 2: Driving Reuse Forward
​Strategies and implementation at the Municipal level

Date: Thursday 2 October 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm CET
Agenda:

Focus on practical strategies for municipalities, including single-use packaging taxes (like the city of Tuebingen’s), mandatory reuse offers, and public awareness campaigns.
Analyze best-practice examples and discuss how to adapt them locally.
Engage in a live group work session to develop concrete actions and define next steps for your city.

What you’ll gain from this workshop

Key Insights: Learn diverse strategies like tax on single-use packaging (city of Tuebingen) and PPWR reusable supply obligation to push reusables for take-away at a municipality level.
Practical Knowledge: Gain knowledge of best-practice examples of municipalities supporting reuse in their city through strategies like single-use-packaging tax (Tuebingen), reuse offer obligation of Germany, and Reuse infrastructure Pilot in Berlin.
Effective Advocacy Skills: Develop the ability to clearly explain the benefits of reusable take-away solutions and confidently address common counter-arguments with facts and practical examples.
Hands-On Learning: Engage with interactive exercises and real-life case studies to apply your knowledge in practice.

About your trainer – DUH – Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V.

Environmental Action Germany (DUH) is a politically independent, non-profit environmental and consumer protection organization founded in 1975. For over 40 years, DUH has been dedicated to preserving the natural foundations of life, uniquely combining environmental protection with consumer advocacy in Germany. The organization operates primarily at national and European levels, campaigning for sustainable lifestyles and economic systems that respect ecological boundaries. DUH also actively fights for biodiversity preservation, natural asset protection, and climate action, believing that efficiency, renewable energies, sustainable mobility, and waste avoidance are crucial for the planet’s future. As a recognized association with the right to instigate legal proceedings, DUH is a prominent voice in Germany’s environmental landscape and a member of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB).
