Zero Waste e.V. is a Berlin-based non-profit organisation working to reduce waste and promote resource-conscious living. Founded in 2018, the association describes its work as happening at the intersection of civil society, public administration and business. Its focus is practical rather than theoretical: it develops and runs projects that aim to prevent waste, expand reuse and packaging alternatives, and raise public awareness in everyday settings.
The organisation is rooted in Berlin, but its stated goal is broader. According to its own description, it wants to advance waste prevention across Germany. In practice, much of its activity is concentrated in the capital, where it works with neighbourhoods, schools, sports clubs, markets, restaurants and local authorities. The group combines educational work with political advocacy and hands-on implementation.
Among its better-known projects is “Zero ist Hero,” through which it advises sports clubs on reducing waste at matches, tournaments and in club operations. Another initiative, “Mehr Pizza – weniger Müll!”, promotes reusable pizza boxes in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. The project “Abfallfreie Wochenmärkte Neukölln” looks at ways to reduce waste on weekly markets. The organisation also runs workshops for businesses and events, school-based education formats, clean-up actions, and policy work linked to Berlin’s ambition to become a zero-waste city. It is also involved in the national initiative “Einmal ohne, bitte,” which promotes bringing reusable containers into everyday consumption.
The association is registered in Berlin and appears to be led by a board including Nina Schleidt, Isabel Pleisnitzer and Katharina Koppenhagen.