A new case study portfolio from ICLEI Europe shows how cities are reducing event waste through practical reuse systems. From Bolzano to Seattle, eight cities share tested approaches to replacing single-use food and drink containers with reusable alternatives.

The portfolio highlights how cities used different tools, including deposit schemes, mobile dishwashing units, and reuse pilots, to introduce circular practices at festivals. Ghent achieved a 95 percent return rate for cups, while Manchester saved 1.7 million single-use items. Tallinn halved event waste by combining policy measures with community engagement.

ICLEI Europe compiled these cases to support other cities working to phase out disposables. The publication focuses on what worked, why it worked, and how others can adapt similar approaches to their local context. Each case outlines regulatory steps, service models, cost insights, and lessons learned, offering a practical entry point for cities aiming to advance their circular economy goals through public events.

The publication was developed by ICLEI Europe as part of a project carried out by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and funded through the BMZ Initiative for Climate and Environmental Protection (IKU).

Download the portfolio.