The project set out to develop a new methodology for waste management in European urban parks — to produce an innovative Zero Waste Urban Parks Handbook with replicable best practices, strengthen the educational competencies of the partner organizations in enabling behavior change, and foster greater awareness and encourage sustainable habits among park staff, visitors, and other stakeholders. Four urban parks and their partner organizations joined forces to reduce waste and promote sustainable behavior, laying the foundation for an international network that will continue to grow.
Waste is a major challenge in European cities, and public parks are particularly difficult places to manage it sustainably. In addition to maintaining green areas, parks attract diverse visitors for leisure and education, which creates complex waste streams. Staff often focus on cleaning litter rather than preventing it, and lack tools to guide behavior change. This project addressed the need to equip park staff and partner organizations with innovative strategies for maintenance, awareness, and community engagement. By connecting urban parks through the shared aspiration of becoming waste-free, the project created a platform for exchanging experiences, testing solutions, and engaging communities. Waste expert organizations contributed knowledge, while parks provided real-life testing grounds. Together, partners worked towards the vision of waste-free parks that will inspire green spaces across Europe.