Residents of Ljubljana have adopted recycling, and they want to take the next step – to become the first capital in the EU's Zero Waste Europe network.

Based on the information, given out by the Zero Waste Europe organisation, Ljubljana is a capital with the largest share of recycled waste. The process of composting will begin in 2015 after the opening of the Ljubljana Regional Waste Treatment Centre (RCERO Ljubljana) for the purpose of treating biodegradable waste. There is only one section missing to ensure substitution of disposal and energy use – two of the last and least desired waste management choices – within a comprehensive waste management.

Two options available are: the mentioned use of energy or the introduction of Zero Waste strategy. Ljubljana has decided for the latter option and is soon to join the European network of local communities with the initiative of avoiding waste production, supporting recycling and treating waste to be reusable as a source of material goods. “We believe we can still increase the share of waste sorting. We must refuse to accept the fact some of our waste cannot be recycled, composted, re-used or reduced at the origin,” speaks Janko Kramžar, director of the public company Snaga.

What does Zero Waste strategy actually mean? It means the local community must first strengthen the first three priorities in waste management – prevention, re-usage and recycling. The Zero Waste initiative stands for zero waste for dumping grounds and incinerators.

One of definite goals of Ljubljana is reduction of the annual amount of waste residue per resident to 80 kg; reduction of waste dumping per resident to 40 kg, and increasing the 70 % of the waste sorting share. This can be achieved by further system improvements in waste collection, strengthening collaborations with various shareholders (companies, educational institutes, non-government organisations, building managements, etc.), and intense communication with the users.

In 2013, an initiative of social responsibility supporting these goals has been created titled “Once-in-a-Lifetime is Out, Reusing is In” (Enkratno je stvari uporabljati večkratno). The Snaga Company is preventing waste production (also food disposal) via online, social and educational activities, encourages reuse and responsible consumerism through oneself, environment and wallets. The Slovenian Advertising Festival (SOF) 2014 has presented the initiative with two awards, one of them being the award for comprehensive advertising campaign. Activities prior to summer will take place in local communities and student settlements. Recently, an animated website "Reuse", promoting reuse and recycling in an entertaining and amusing way was created.