Become a Zero Waste City and make an impact!

Fair Resource Foundation guides cities and municipalities in Belgium and the Netherlands towards a future with less waste, thanks to the European certified programme and label “Zero Waste Cities Certification”.

Emmy Van Daele

6 Feb 2025

Reducing waste, saving costs, and creating a healthier living environment: that sounds like a dream for every city or municipality. With the Zero Waste Cities Certification (ZWCC), that dream becomes reality. This independent certification programme, developed by Mission Zero Academy and supported by Zero Waste Europe, helps cities and municipalities to systematically reduce waste and promote a circular economy. Why choose the Zero Waste Cities Certification? The ZWCC is not an empty label, but an ambitious and proven trajectory that guides local authorities step-by-step towards effective waste prevention. Fair Resource Foundation fully supports this initiative, because it goes beyond good intentions and delivers concrete impact. Thanks to a structured approach and the guidance of mentors, such as Maïté Liekens, cities and municipalities can pass an independent audit and achieve the prestigious certificate within three years. What does the certification involve? The Zero Waste Cities Certification is based on more than 10 years of expertise within Zero Waste Europe. Cities and municipalities that commit themselves receive expert guidance, a tailor-made action plan, and access to a broad European network. The certification consists of different levels (1 to 5 stars), where efforts to further reduce waste are rewarded. Zoersel: an inspiring example The municipality of Zoersel has become the first in Belgium to apply as a Zero Waste City. Together with the head of local implementation of Zero Waste Europe, Jack McQuibban, and their mentor Maïté Liekens, they drew up a waste prevention plan. The new city council, together with its citizens, will work over the next three years to bring their already very low amount of residual waste down even further. Join in and make a difference! Does your city or municipality also want to reduce waste, strengthen the circular economy, and play a leading role in Europe? Get in touch and take the first step towards a sustainable future! Contact Maïté Liekens at maite@fairresourcefoundation.org for more information. Related tags More on this topic

Why choose the Zero Waste Cities Certification?

The ZWCC is not an empty label, but an ambitious and proven trajectory that guides local authorities step-by-step towards effective waste prevention. Fair Resource Foundation fully supports this initiative, because it goes beyond good intentions and delivers concrete impact. Thanks to a structured approach and the guidance of mentors, such as Maïté Liekens, cities and municipalities can pass an independent audit and achieve the prestigious certificate within three years.

What does the certification involve?

The Zero Waste Cities Certification is based on more than 10 years of expertise within Zero Waste Europe. Cities and municipalities that commit themselves receive expert guidance, a tailor-made action plan, and access to a broad European network. The certification consists of different levels (1 to 5 stars), where efforts to further reduce waste are rewarded.

Zoersel: an inspiring example

The municipality of Zoersel has become the first in Belgium to apply as a Zero Waste City. Together with the head of local implementation of Zero Waste Europe, Jack McQuibban, and their mentor Maïté Liekens, they drew up a waste prevention plan. The new city council, together with its citizens, will work over the next three years to bring their already very low amount of residual waste down even further.

Join in and make a difference!

Does your city or municipality also want to reduce waste, strengthen the circular economy, and play a leading role in Europe? Get in touch and take the first step towards a sustainable future! Contact Maïté Liekens at maite@fairresourcefoundation.org for more information.