Who said waste reduction can’t be exciting? The 2024 European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) wrapped up with a bang at its annual Awards Ceremony, held this year on 12 June in the vibrant city of Leeuwarden, Netherlands.

Marieke Schouten from the European Committee of the Regions and Serena Lisai, Project Manager at ACR+ and EWWR European Coordinator, opened the ceremony and welcomed the participants to this great celebration of the European Week for Waste Reduction. Following this, we revealed the winners in the categories of Public Administration, Business, and Association and NGO. Next, Serena Lisai gave a presentation and invited the attendees to take part in the 2025 edition of the EWWR, which will take place from 22 to 30 November and will focus on the theme of WEEE. Afterwards, we met the finalists and discovered the winners of the 2024 edition in the Educational Establishment and Citizens categories. 

“If you want to feel hope, read the EWWR actions. I’m inspired by what people are doing all over Europe”  

“The EU Committee of the Regions fully supports the EWWR. We encourage you all to continue — take responsibility and keep making nice things” 

Marieke Schouten, European Committee of the Regions.  

“ACR+ has been in EWWR since the very beginning, 16 years ago, and I am always so happy to welcome you here. We see faces from all over Europe” 

“The added value of this campaign is people acting on the ground, human beings who
do believe in a green transition and work in communities for waste reduction” 

 Serena Lisai, Project Manager at ACR+ and EWWR European Coordinator 

The EWWR 2024 Award winners 

Out of the 15 finalists pre-selected by the EWWR Jury in April 2025, five actions were awarded during the ceremony. They are: 

1. Public administration and organisation category – awarded by Marieke Schouten, European Committee of the Regions.  

Bizkaia Repara implemented by Provincial Council of Bizkaia. Repair vouchers to reduce waste. Promoting a culture of reuse and sustainability every day. 

1. Business/industry category – awarded by Els Bedert, EuroCommerce. 

EBKEKSZ implemented by Superjuice Kft. and Flash Kutyapékség Kft., in Budapest Dog biscuits made from fruit pulp! Turning leftover fruit pulp into healthy treats for dogs. 

1. Association/NGO category – awarded by awarded by Katja Sreš, Ecologists without borders. 

Let’s recover the culture of non-waste implemented by ReFoodGees Aps, in Rome A year-long journey of community, inclusion, and food recovery. Volunteers saved market food to support vulnerable families. 

1. Educational establishment category – awarded by Maree Bouterakos, Wageningen University and Research. 

From waste to resources: Educational innovation for sustainability implemented by Institut d’Horticultura i Jardineria, in Reus. Nearly 100 kg of food saved using natural fertilizers & recycled-oil soap! 

1. Citizen(s) category – awarded by Jack McQuibban, Zero Waste Europe. 

De sobra a sabroso, de chatgpt al gozo implemented by Marlén Alonso Castaño, in Langreo. 11 daily leftover recipes made with ChatGPT = 3kg+ of food saved! 

For more information about the EWWR Awards winners and finalists, please have a look at our comprehensive press file.