On March 30, the world comes together to celebrate the international day of Zero Waste, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of reducing waste, reusing resources, and recycling to build a cleaner and more sustainable planet. This annual event encourages individuals, businesses, and governments to take actionable steps towards eliminating waste and promoting circular economies that ensure nothing goes to waste.
As climate change continues to pose a significant threat to our planet, the need for a zero-waste future has never been more urgent, and this day is a reminder that collective action is essential to address the pressing environmental challenges we face. A zero-waste approach goes beyond individual efforts and encourages communities and organisations to rethink how we consume, produce, and dispose of products and resources.
The European Green Deal and Zero Waste
At the forefront of this effort in Europe is the European Green Deal, a comprehensive roadmap introduced by the European Union to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The Green Deal has become a cornerstone in the fight against climate change and resource depletion, with a strong emphasis on circular economy principles that align with the goals of zero waste.
As part of the Green Deal, the EU is actively supporting initiatives to reduce food loss and waste across the continent. In Europe alone, over 88 million tonnes of food are wasted each year, resulting in significant environmental and economic impacts. Recognising this issue, the Green Deal encourages efforts to prevent food waste by promoting more efficient supply chains, responsible consumption, and innovative solutions to tackle food loss at every stage from production to consumption.
F6S projects driving Zero Waste
In alignment with the European Green Deal, F6S is part of several Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects that are making a significant impact on the journey towards zero waste.
- Funded under Horizon 2020, the ZeroW project addresses one of the biggest global challenges—reducing food loss and waste (FLW). ZeroW works through a system of Systemic Innovation Living Labs to test and develop innovative solutions to reduce FLW at various stages of the food supply chain. The project ensures that innovations are scalable and adaptable to different regions and markets by fostering collaboration between researchers, industry players, and policy-makers. ZeroW aims to transform food systems and create scalable models that can be adopted across Europe to significantly reduce waste and contribute to the EU’s sustainability goals.
- Another impactful initiative, FOODITY, supported by Horizon Europe, focuses on leveraging personal data and digital technologies to create more sustainable and transparent food systems. FOODITY’s approach centers on empowering citizens through personal data sovereignty, and European startups and SMEs with the tools and resources they need to develop innovative digital solutions that address food waste and promote healthier, more sustainable food choices. Through its two Open Calls, FOODITY directly supports several startups dealing with zero food waste, and in scaling their innovative ideas, ultimately contributing to the creation of a sustainable food ecosystem in Europe.
- Similar in goal, CIRCULOOS addresses the growing need for sustainable practices within MSMEs by focusing on the core principles of the circular economy. The project aims to reduce waste and extend product lifecycles through the practical application of “R-strategies,” such as repair, reuse, and recycling. To achieve this, CIRCULOOS integrates technologies like blockchain, AI-driven life cycle assessments, and machine vision to create a collaborative ecosystem where data-driven decisions support sustainable manufacturing. By enabling MSMEs to effectively recover value from end-of-life products or utilize recycled materials, the project facilitates a shift towards more efficient and environmentally conscious supply chains, ultimately minimizing waste and promoting resource conservation. The project is currently closing its first Open Call (Expression of Interest) and gearing up for Open Calls 2 & 3 on the 26th March 2025.
Achieving a zero-waste future requires collaborative efforts from various sectors. Whether through innovative projects like ZeroW, FOODITY, and CIRCULOOS or through individual actions, everyone has a role to play in reducing waste.
For more information on F6S projects, including ZeroW, FOODITY, and CIRCULOOS, and how they are contributing to a zero-waste future, discover our list of projects!
